Jubaland Accuses Turkey and Mogadishu of Turning Military Aid Against Somali Opponents

Doolow, Gedo (WDN) — Jubaland has accused Turkey and Somalia’s Federal Government of using military capabilities supplied for national defence to target political opponents, following an overnight airstrike in Doolow that wounded former Somali Custodial Corps Commander General Mahad Abdirahman Adan and four other civilians.

In a strongly worded statement, Jubaland condemned what it described as a deliberate attack by Turkish military aircraft on the house where General Mahad was staying, alleging that the operation was politically motivated because of his opposition to the Federal Government.

Jubaland said two missiles were fired during the attack, with one striking the residence of the Doolow district commissioner. General Mahad and four other civilians were reportedly wounded. The allegations have not been independently verified. The Federal Government has denied responsibility and offered a different account of the incident.

But Jubaland’s accusation raises a much larger and potentially explosive question: Are foreign-supplied weapons and drones intended to defend Somalia being used instead to settle the country’s political disputes, intimidate opposition figures and impose the Federal Government’s will on Federal Member States?