Somali government lands troops in Ras Kamboni area in southern Somalia

Reports from Ras Kamboni area in Lower Juba region, whose capital is Kismayo, indicate that the Somali government today landed troops at a small airport in the area.

Reports added that Colonel Hassan Iraqi, commander of the 18th Regiment of the Somali Special Forces known as “Gor Gor”, is leading the forces that were airlifted from Mogadishu and took up positions in the area.

The landing coincided with a severe dispute between the Somali government and the state of Jubaland, led by Ahmed Madobe, who was re-elected today for a third presidential term.

In a statement he made after taking the constitutional oath today, Madobe strongly criticized the leadership of the Somali federal government, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre of waging war on his administration.

Madobe pointed out that Barre did not return the favor to Jubaland, and explained that he is working to destroy the regional administration, explaining that there were previous attempts in this regard that ended in failure, and President Hassan Sheikh warned against using the Prime Minister against Jubaland and returning things to square one.