
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Forces loyal to Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe seized control of Bardere, a strategic town in southern Somalia’s Gedo region, on Tuesday following the withdrawal of troops aligned with the federal government.
Residents awoke to find Jubaland forces in command of the town and its administrative headquarters after pro-federal troops retreated overnight, marking a significant shift in the ongoing power struggle.
This marks the fourth town the Somali federal government has lost to Jubaland since tensions escalated late last year, triggered by Madobe’s re-election in a vote dismissed by Mogadishu as illegitimate, non-inclusive, and fundamentally flawed.
The capture of Bardere, a contested flashpoint in the Gedo region, reportedly followed efforts to sway pro-federal forces to defect through financial incentives, according to the Caasimada Online news website.
Jubaland’s Bardere district commissioner, Adan Mohamed Ahmed, confirmed the takeover in a public statement, asserting that his forces now fully control the town and that essential services will soon be restored.
The federal government had previously ceded control of Raskamboni, Kulbiyow, Burdhubo, and Dolow to Jubaland forces, further weakening Mogadishu’s grip on the Gedo and Lower Juba regions.
Despite these setbacks, the conflict remains far from resolved, with both sides intensifying efforts to undermine each other’s influence and territorial control in southern Somalia.
The fall of Bardere represents a significant strategic and symbolic blow to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration, highlighting the fragility of Somalia’s federal structure and the deepening divide between Mogadishu and regional authorities.
As the standoff persists, the escalating conflict threatens to further destabilize a nation already grappling with political fragmentation and insecurity, raising urgent questions about the future of Somalia’s governance and territorial integrity.
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