MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Ethiopian troops stationed in Dolow, a town on Somalia’s southern border with Ethiopia, have issued a three-day ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of Somali armed forces from the nearby town of Balad Hawo. The Somali military recently seized Balad Hawo from Jubaland regional forces, escalating tensions in the region.
Abdullahi Shimbir, governor of Gedo region, said Ethiopian forces met with local elders and delivered the order that Somali army and intelligence personnel must vacate Balad Hawo within 72 hours or face unspecified consequences.
“This directive comes from a town inside Somalia’s borders, yet it commands Somali forces to withdraw from another Somali town,” Shimbir said, condemning the ultimatum as a blatant infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty. He added that among those ordered to leave was Abdirashid Janan, regional commander of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The ultimatum follows days of clashes last week, during which Somali federal forces took control of Balad Hawo from Jubaland authorities. Ethiopia, a key backer of Jubaland, has expressed strong opposition to Mogadishu’s advances.
Last month, Ethiopian troops launched a fierce assault on a NISA base in Dolow, killing several officers, wounding others, and detaining commanders. The attack also destroyed a weapons depot, images of which circulated widely online, showing the facility engulfed in flames.
The Somali federal government has remained largely silent on the incident, prompting analysts to suggest an effort to avoid escalating tensions with Ethiopia. Nevertheless, the attack sparked widespread outrage within Somalia, with many citizens accusing the government of failing to defend national sovereignty against foreign aggression.
Ethiopian forces number in the tens of thousands across southern Somalia, including in the regions of Bay, Bakol, Gedo, and Hiran. Their presence often eclipses that of the Somali federal government. Reports indicate Ethiopian troops operate with considerable autonomy, conducting arrests and imposing taxes on local civilians, a situation attributed to the Somali authorities’ inability to secure their borders and curtail Ethiopia’s decades-long military footprint.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
