Somalia Condemns Ethiopian Forces’ Attack on Doolow Amid Efforts to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

7 hours ago

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, around 10:00 AM local time, the attack targeted three key locations that housed the Somalia’s National Army

minister ahmed moalim fiqi
Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi.

The Federal Government of Somalia has strongly condemned a surprise attack by Ethiopian forces in Doolow town, Gedo region, describing it as a grave violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and international agreements.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, around 10:00 AM local time, the attack targeted three key locations that housed the Somali National Army, National Intelligence Service (NISA), and police forces; the number of Somali security personnel and civilians killed in the attack has not been made public.

The incident comes at a particularly sensitive time, as a high-level Somali delegation led by Minister of State Ali Omar was scheduled to arrive in Addis Ababa the same day to strengthen bilateral ties under the framework of the recent Ankara Declaration.

“This is a clear violation of the Ankara Agreement, the African Union Charter, the United Nations regulations, and the practice of good neighborliness,” the Somali foreign ministry stated in a strongly worded press release. The ministry warned that it “will not remain silent about these blatant steps that violate Somalia’s sovereignty.”

Somalia’s internal political dynamics are making everything more complicated. The federal government in Mogadishu has been at odds with the Jubaland regional state, which is in charge of Doolow, which is located in the Gedo area. Currently, Jubaland Vice President Mahmoud Adam Sayid resides in the town.

The Jubaland regional government, on the other hand, said in a press statement that Jubaland positions in Dolow were severely damaged by an attack by Somali federal forces. They declared that Dolow is still firmly under their hands and said that Jubaland soldiers have effectively repelled the attack.