The Jubbaland regional administration has strongly condemned what it says was an airstrike carried out by Turkish aircraft in Doolow district in Somalia’s Gedo region.
According to a statement issued by Jubbaland, the strike targeted the home of Brigadier General Mahad Abdirahman Adan, a former commander of Somalia’s Custodial Corps, also known as Taliye Shub, who had been staying in Jubbaland in recent months.
Jubbaland described the incident as a direct indication that Turkey had abandoned the neutral role it had previously played in Somalia’s affairs.
The regional administration said the attack took place at a house in Doolow and accused Turkey of becoming involved in matters that, it argued, should be resolved by Somali parties themselves.
“Turkey will no longer be regarded as neutral,” Jubbaland said, while calling for a review of the arms restrictions imposed on Somalia.
The administration said the call followed what it described as violations involving weapons intended for the fight against Somalia’s enemies. The UN Security Council lifted a long-standing arms embargo on Somalia in December 2023.
Jubbaland called for a comprehensive review of the current arrangements, or for Somalia to be placed back under an arms embargo, arguing that this would help prevent the political use of heavy weapons.
The statement also accused Somalia’s federal government and Turkey of jointly being involved in the alleged airstrike. Jubbaland said such involvement would undermine confidence in Turkey’s role in Somalia and called on the international community to closely examine what it described as interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.
Jubbaland also said it fully supports Somalia’s efforts to participate in international organisations and institutions. However, it stressed that international agreements and support should not be used to pursue political or military interests against Somalia’s federal member states or its civilian population.
