MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The leader of Somalia’s Jubaland state Ahmed Madobe is rapidly amassing troops for a decisive offensive against the thousands of federal government soldiers airlifted to the town of Raskamboni in Lower Juba, as escalating tensions push both sides to the precipice of an all-out conflict, Caasimada Online news website reported on Monday.
The regional leader also placed under house arrest several senior commanders of regional forces, including the commander of Birjeh units suspecting them of having links with Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and of attempts to facilitate mass defections of regional forces to the federal government.
The regional leader has placed several senior commanders of regional forces, including the commander of the Birjeh units, under house arrest, accusing them of suspected ties to the Somali Prime Minister and alleged efforts to orchestrate mass defections of regional troops to the federal government.
Madobe has also deployed thousands of troops from the towns of Jana Abdalle, Kismayo, and Bulo Haji to the strategic town of Kudha, where he intends to consolidate forces ahead of an impending offensive against Somali government troops in Raskamboni, who are themselves preparing for a potential military clash.
Last week, the Somali government dispatched more than a dozen aircraft carrying troops and weaponry to Raskamboni in a bid to intensify efforts to oust Ahmed Madobe, who was re-elected for a third term last month in a disputed indirect election that the federal government has condemned as both unfair and unconstitutional.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com