AFGOYE, Somalia – Heavy fighting between rival factions within the Al-Shabaab militant group erupted over the past two days in Jambalul, a small town approximately 35 km from Mogadishu, leading to an unspecified number of deaths and injuries, local authorities reported.
The conflict, as confirmed by Mohamed Ibrahim Barre, Governor of the Lower Shabelle region, stemmed from disputes over local administrative control following the appointment of new officials. “The fighting was severe, with many members of the conflicting sides killed,” Barre told VOA Somali Service.
This internal strife within Al-Shabaab highlights ongoing tensions that can often disrupt the group’s operations. Governor Barre remarked, “This issue proves that they are people who are dying of religion and the things that people were doing wrong have ended.”
While the insurgent group has not issued an official statement regarding the clash, the incident adds to the history of internal conflicts within Al-Shabaab, which have previously led to significant losses among its ranks in various parts of south and central Somalia.
The situation in Jambalul near Afgoye town remains volatile as both sides are still fighting and residents started to flee their houses to nearby villages, according to the governor of the Lower Shabelle region. No independent sources were conforming to the governor’s claims.
HORN LIFE
