MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Fierce fighting on Wednesday erupted in Raskamboni town, Lower Juba region, located some 250km south of Kismayo, as Somalia’s army clashed with Jubaland forces following days of escalating rival troop buildups, marking a dramatic escalation in regional tensions.
Jubaland officials claimed their forces had captured Somali army’s forward defensive positions in Raskamboni, inflicting significant casualties, while accusing the military of sparking the gun battle by launching an assault on Jubaland’s positions near the town.
Meanwhile, the Somali government accused Jubaland forces of launching an assault on its troops stationed in Raskamboni to secure bases vacated by ATMIS peacekeepers as part of the mission’s transition ahead of its planned withdrawal in early 2025, asserting that the Somali military successfully repelled the attackers.
In a statement, the Somali Ministry of Defense accused Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe of coordinating with the Al-Shabaab militant group, allegedly securing safe passage for his troops to deploy across a 250-kilometer stretch of land from Kismayo to Raskamboni, including areas controlled by militants, to launch an attack on Somali forces.
Independent verification of the claims from both sides remains unattainable due to the region’s remoteness. The number of casualties, both military and civilian, remains unconfirmed.
