Garbahaarey, Somalia (WDN—Heavy fighting erupted late last night in Garbahaarey, the capital of Gedo region, after Al-Shabaab militants launched a brazen assault targeting a government military base on the town’s outskirts. Eyewitnesses reported intense clashes lasting several hours, during which both sides employed heavy weaponry.

Sources indicate that government forces, bolstered by the Somali National Army (SNA), successfully repelled the attack, inflicting casualties on the militants and securing the contested areas. However, the full extent of the damage and casualties remains unclear as of this morning.

This latest assault underscores the increasingly fragile security situation in Gedo, a region still reeling from political instability and mistrust between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Jubaland administration. Over recent months, Gedo has become a flashpoint where political rivalries have dangerously overlapped with counterterrorism operations, blurring the lines between governance and security.

The use of the SNA to settle political scores — most notably during December 11, 2024, Raskamboni episode where federal forces clashed with Jubaland-aligned units — continues to destabilize the region. That confrontation severely eroded trust between local communities and federal authorities, creating vulnerabilities that Al-Shabaab has been quick to exploit.

Over the past few weeks, residents report heightened militant activity near Baardheere and Garbahaarey. Al-Shabaab appears to be regrouping and probing government defenses, emboldened by the political disarray that has distracted security forces from their primary mission: protecting civilians.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Beledxaawo, another Gedo district caught in the political tug-of-war between Mogadishu and Kismayo. The ongoing standoff has deepened the humanitarian crisis, leaving local populations exposed to insecurity, displacement, and economic hardship.

With Al-Shabaab intensifying its operations, observers warn that unless the FGS and regional states resolve their disputes and restore a unified security front, Somalia risks allowing extremist groups to regain significant ground — a threat that would reverberate far beyond Gedo.

This is a developing story.
WDN reporters are closely monitoring the situation in Garbahaarey and across Gedo. Updates on casualties, government operations, and regional responses will be provided as new information becomes available.

Stay tuned to WDN for the latest developments.