By Horn Current News Desk | July 29, 2025
Dolow, Gedo Region – Intense fighting broke out overnight and continued into Monday morning in the strategic border town of Dolow, pitting Jubaland regional forces against troops loyal to Somalia’s federal government, according to multiple sources and regional officials.
In a statement issued early Monday, the Jubaland administration accused federal-aligned troops of launching a “coordinated surprise attack” on its military positions within the town. Jubaland forces claim to have repelled the offensive and taken control of key government facilities, including administrative offices and checkpoints.
Independent sources on the ground confirmed that Jubaland forces had seized several strategic points in Dolow, though the number of casualties and scale of damage remain unconfirmed amid ongoing tension.
As of publication, the federal government has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The latest escalation coincides with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s official visit to Ethiopia, raising questions over internal security coordination. Analysts say the timing of the clashes is significant, as relations between Mogadishu and regional states like Jubaland remain strained over troop deployments and political autonomy in Gedo.
“The Gedo region has long been a hotspot of contention between Jubaland and the central government,” said one local analyst. “This flare-up threatens to destabilize efforts toward national reconciliation and could shift focus away from more pressing security threats.”
Meanwhile, the militant group Al-Shabaab is reportedly making gains in central Somalia, recently capturing territory in the Hiiraan region. The dual developments are fueling renewed concern over Somalia’s counter-insurgency strategy and the ability of federal and regional forces to coordinate effectively.
With rising tensions on multiple fronts, the international community is closely monitoring developments in Dolow, where the situation remains fluid.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
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