Dolow (WDN) – Al-Shabaab militants launched a coordinated overnight assault on a Jubaland military base on the outskirts of Doolow, briefly overrunning the position before withdrawing at dawn, in what analysts say is another indication that the group’s resurgence is being fueled by Somalia’s deepening political divisions.

According to preliminary reports from Gedo region, the attack targeted a military outpost along the strategic road linking Doolow and Beled Hawo, a key security corridor near Somalia’s borders with Kenya and Ethiopia.

Local residents said the fighting erupted shortly after midnight as heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters attacked the base using both heavy and light weapons. After several hours of intense fighting, Jubaland forces reportedly pulled back, allowing the militants to temporarily occupy the installation.

Witnesses said the insurgents remained at the base for only a short period before withdrawing before sunrise. Neither the Jubaland administration nor the Federal Government of Somalia had issued an official statement at the time of publication confirming casualties or providing details about the outcome of the clash.

Political Crisis Creating Security Opportunities

The latest attack comes as Somalia faces one of its most serious political crises in years, with the prolonged standoff between former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration, opposition leaders, and key Federal Member States—including Jubaland and Puntland—continuing to overshadow national security priorities.

Security analysts increasingly warn that the political deadlock has created conditions that Al-Shabaab is exploiting to rebuild its operational capabilities.

Rather than confronting a united national front, the militant group has benefited from months of political infighting over elections, constitutional disputes, and deteriorating relations between Mogadishu and several federal member states.

Analysts argue that when political leaders become preoccupied with internal power struggles, military coordination, intelligence sharing, and stabilization efforts inevitably suffer, allowing Al-Shabaab to regain momentum in contested areas. The attack in Gedo reinforces those concerns.

The Gedo region remains one of Somalia’s most strategically important territories. As Somalia’s second-largest region by land area, it borders both Kenya and Ethiopia and serves as a critical gateway for trade, military logistics, and cross-border movement.

The Doolow–Beled Hawo corridor is particularly significant because it connects major population centers while providing access to the international border crossings used for both commercial activity and security operations.

Military observers believe Al-Shabaab’s objective was less about holding territory than demonstrating its continued ability to penetrate government positions, disrupt security operations, and undermine public confidence in state institutions.

Temporary raids of this nature have become an increasingly common tactic, allowing the group to project strength without becoming tied down in prolonged engagements.

The security challenges in Gedo are compounded by an unresolved political dispute over authority in the region. For years, tensions have persisted between the Federal Government and the Jubaland administration over administrative control and security responsibilities.

These political disagreements have weakened unified command structures and complicated efforts to build a coherent counterinsurgency strategy. The resulting fragmentation, analysts say, has created gaps that Al-Shabaab has repeatedly exploited.

The latest attack underscores a broader reality confronting Somalia: military operations alone are unlikely to deliver lasting security unless accompanied by political cohesion and effective cooperation between the Federal Government and regional administrations.

As long as national political leaders remain divided, security experts warn, Al-Shabaab will continue to exploit those divisions to launch attacks, challenge state authority, and re-establish its presence in strategically important areas.

WardheerNews