Federal Government Deploys Haramcad Special Forces to Gedo Amid Escalating Tensions

MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia has today deployed dozens of Haramcad officers, a Turkey-trained elite police unit, into the embattled Gedo region, drawing parallels to a previous controversial deployment in Raskamboni and triggering fresh political and security anxieties.

According to local officials in Beled-Hawo, the new troops landed in the early hours of Thursday morning and were “immediately transported to federal installations on the outskirts of the city.” Their presence follows an increase in violence earlier this week, where clashes between federal forces and Jubaland troops left at least ten people dead and several wounded.

Echoes of Raskamboni

The move has revived bitter memories of the Raskamboni incident in late 2024, where federal forces — including Haramcad — attempted to assert control over the border town, only to suffer a major defeat. A Jubaland military spokesperson at the time declared that “hundreds of federal troops were captured or forced to flee across the Kenyan border” after what he described as a “reckless and illegitimate invasion.”

That incident ended with Jubaland firmly in control of Raskamboni. In the aftermath, a report by Garowe Online described the operation as "a political embarrassment for Mogadishu’s security strategy in southern Somalia.”

Beled-Hawo Flashpoint

This week, Beled-Hawo became the latest flashpoint. On Wednesday, fighting erupted following the arrival of Abdirashid Janan, the former Jubaland security minister who was controversially appointed as the regional head of Somalia’s intelligence agency (NISA) by the federal government.

In a statement to The Defense Post, Gedo Governor Mohamed Hussein Al-Qadi confirmed: “Federal troops accompanying Janan were removed from key administrative buildings after fierce resistance from Jubaland forces.” He added that “at least five people were killed in the clashes, and the town remains tense.”

Jubaland commanders claim their forces successfully regained control of Beled-Hawo. “We have contained the attackers. The federal troops failed to take over,” said a senior Jubaland officer in a phone interview with Hiiraan Online.

Regional Ramifications

The deployment of Haramcad—trained and equipped under Somalia-Turkey security cooperation—marks a strategic push by the federal government to tighten its grip on Gedo, a region historically aligned with the Jubaland administration. But critics warn this approach risks reigniting full-scale conflict.

In a July 24 commentary, Garowe Online described the new deployment as “a calculated provocation that could plunge Gedo into prolonged instability,” noting that federal forces are "repeating the Raskamboni playbook with no clear exit strategy.”

Humanitarian Concerns

The renewed clashes have displaced dozens of families, with local humanitarian agencies reporting limited access to basic medical care and food supplies. A resident of Beled-Hawo told Horseed Media that “families are hiding in schools and mosques, fearing a return to street fighting.”

International observers, including the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have urged both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue.

Conclusion

The deployment of the Haramcad special police unit to Gedo signals a bold escalation by Mogadishu, reviving painful memories of past military failures like Raskamboni. With civilians once again caught in the crossfire, the path forward will depend on whether the federal government and Jubaland can resolve their deepening rift without resorting to further violence.