Kenya has beefed up security in the town of Mandera and along the border prefectures with Somalia. Additional security forces were deployed, following a fierce battle between Somali National Army (SNA) troops and Jubbaland forces .
Strategic Intelligence (S.I) assets on Monday 2nd, March 2020 reported that there was an exchange of gunfire between Jubbaland Security Forces (JSF) and Federal Government of Somalia Security Forces in Bula Hawo town. Bula-Hawo is a town located in Gedo, Somalia and close to the Kenyan border.
Businesses both at Balad-Hawo and Mandera town were temporarily interrupted following a couple of explosions and gunfight from warring Somalian troops.
Safaricom Base Transmission Station mast (BTS) in Mandera was tampered with, rendering communication in the area temporarily impossible further causing confusion across the border.
Jubbaland officials blamed the Federal Government of deploying their forces as an act of provocation that prompted the gunfight. U.S. and UN recently condemned Mogadishu excessive troops deployment in Gedo.
The troubles have been prompted by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s administration that has trying to oust Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe, who has been critical of Mogadishu administration.
The weak FGS has been blaming its political misfortunes on Kenya and for supporting Jubbaland administration which it does not recognize, allegations which Kenya has refuted and termed as baseless.
Kenya has so far scaled up security in Mandera and along the border with Somalia in readiness for any aggression on her people and sovereignty
Notably, Kenyan troops are responsible for security of parts of Jubbaland under AMISOM mandate, and the allegations from FGS could further deal a blow on the war against the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab militants.
