Gunfire near Mandera as forces clash over fugitive minister

Some of Jubbaland military officers, who escaped fighting in Bula Hawa, Somalia, are escorted to Mandera Police Station on March 2, 2020. At least 30 Jubbaland officers were received at the station. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Activities were interrupted by a heavy explosion that was followed by gunfire at about 11am.
  • Since the minister arrived, the high tension in Mandera town has forced some residents to flee from their homes, fearing deadly clashes.
  • It remained unclear whether the wanted minister remained in the rented house or was moved to a local military camp.

Activities were interrupted by a heavy explosion that was followed by gunfire at about 11am on Monday, signalling an expected clash between Jubbaland forces and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).

Communication was cut off at about 10am and explosions and gunshots rent the air for the better part of the day.

FGS troops have been camping at Bula Hawa, a town neighbouring Mandera, for the past month, planning a raid to capture a fugitive Jubbaland minister, who has been hiding in the county.

Mr Abdirashid Hassan Abdinur, alias Abdirashid Janan, arrived in Mandera town on January 30 and was booked into a local hotel.

He escaped on January 28 from a Mogadishu prison where he had been held since August 31, 2019.

Residents are pictured on the streets of Mandera town as smoke rises from explosions in the neighbouring Bula Hawa town of Somalia, amid fighting between Jubbaland and FGS forces, on March 2, 2020. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

RENTED HOUSE

He left the hotel on February 10 and rented a house at Border Point 1 in Mandera town.

Since the minister arrived, the high tension in Mandera town has forced some residents to flee from their homes, fearing deadly clashes between the FGS and the Jubbaland troops, who are supported by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

For the better part of Monday, Jubbaland forces guarding the fugitive engaged in an exchange of fire with the FGS forces along the Kenya-Somalia border within Mandera town.

Overpowered Jubbaland forces were received and hosted in Mandera town police station with the KDF guarding the facility.

It remained unclear whether the wanted minister remained in the rented house or was moved to a military camp.

Senior security officers in Mandera sought refuge at the military camp, where Mandera County Police Commander Jeremiah Kosiom was taken under a heavy police escort.

Mandera border police post was deserted immediately after fighting broke out.

Some of Jubbaland military officers, who escaped fighting in Bula Hawa, Somalia, are escorted to Mandera Police Station on March 2, 2020. At least 30 Jubbaland officers were received at the station. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

A STANDSTILL

The clash brought business to a standstill in Mandera town, with most shops closed.

“I had to close my shop as it was just a matter of time before the fighting got into town,” said Adan Yarrow.

Resident Ali Hassan said: "We all knew this was going to happen but our government chose not to take action by arresting and handing over this minister,” said a resident of Mandera.

Most schools in the town were closed and learners asked to go home.

A spot check by the Nation revealed that most of the fighting took place on the Somalia side of the border with the KDF on standby to respond to any spillover.

Hospitals remained operational but none had received casualties by noon.

“We are on duty and are yet to receive any victim of the fighting at Border Point 1,” said a medical officer at Mandera County Referral Hospital.

On January 15, the facility's medical superintendent issued a notice asking staff to be on standby.

Locals claimed four people had died.

A KDF soldier patrols in Mandera town amid clashes in the neighbouring Bula Hawa town of Somalia between Jubbaland and FGS forces, March 2, 2020. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP