Somalia: Somali troops and Jubaland regional forces clash ahead of elections
Heavy fighting has broken out in the town of Bulo Hawo between Somali forces and those from the federal territory of Jubbaland, which borders Kenya, ahead of general elections slated for next month.
In a statement, Somalia’s information ministry early on Monday accused what it said were Kenya-funded rebels of crossing into the border town and attacking Somali forces.
But Jubbaland’s vice president, Mohamud Sayid Adan, told reporters Jubbaland forces stationed outside the town had been attacked by what he called forces recently deployed to the region by the government in the capital, Mogadishu.
The regional government has resented the deployment of central troops ahead of the elections for new members of parliament, who will subsequently elect the president.
Both sides have claimed victory but people in the town said fighting continued and some people had begun to flee.