Photo/ Somali Times
At least 16 people were killed and several others wounded when a fierce fighting between the Somali special forces and Jubaland forces took place in Belet-Hawo Somalia’s , an official said on Monday. The fight began after Somali special forces attacked the Jubaland forces to loyal Abdirashid Janan, fugitive former security minister in Jubaland State.
Mohamed Gedi, a military official in the Gedo administrative region, told Somali Times that the fighting killed 16 people, including Somali federal forces soldiers, Jubaland forces and civilian women and children from Jubaland. Civilian houses were also damaged in the gun battle, he said.
Col Mohamed Adow Ali, commander in the Somali National Army in Gedo, confirmed the fight and accused the Kenyan government of shelling civilian homes in the town. An eyewitness, who spoke to Somali Times, said the fighting was deadly and spread to several villages close to Kenya. Belet Hawo is a town located near Somali-Kenyan border and recently captured by Somali government from Jubaland forces.