The Jubaland State has strongly condemned an airstrike carried out overnight in Doolow District of Somalia’s Gedo Region, alleging that Turkish military aircraft targeted a former federal security official because of his political views and injured several civilians.
In a statement issued on Friday, Jubaland said the strike directly targeted the residence of Mahad Abdirahman Adan, the former Commander of the Federal Government’s Custodial Corps. According to the regional administration, two missiles were fired during the operation, one of which reportedly struck the residence of the Chairman of Doolow District.
Jubaland reported that Mahad Abdirahman Adan and four other civilians were injured in the attack. The administration noted that Doolow has remained largely free from major security incidents for more than a decade and described the missile strike in a populated area during the night as a serious escalation.
The regional government alleged that the former commander was targeted solely because of his political differences with Somalia’s outgoing federal leadership.
Jubaland further accused the Government of Türkiye of enabling its military capabilities to be used against political opponents, describing the incident as a dangerous development with potentially far-reaching consequences for Somalia’s political stability.
In its statement, Jubaland characterized the attack as a violation of international norms and asserted that both Somalia’s outgoing federal leadership and the Government of Türkiye should be held accountable for the consequences of the strike.
The administration warned that the incident reflects what it described as an increasingly troubling political trajectory in Somalia, arguing that the use of military force in domestic political disputes could further deepen divisions and undermine national reconciliation efforts.
Jubaland called on key international stakeholders, including the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), United States, and European Union (EU), to closely examine Türkiye’s role in the incident. The regional government argued that such involvement does not serve the interests of the Somali people or contribute to regional stability.
The statement also urged the United Nations to review its decision to lift the arms embargo on Somalia until stronger mechanisms are established to ensure proper oversight, management, and accountability for weapons supplied to the country by international partners.
Jubaland concluded by expressing concern that the incident could damage Türkiye’s credibility as a neutral actor in Somalia’s political processes. According to the administration, the strike risks undermining future mediation efforts and could complicate attempts to foster dialogue among Somalis holding differing political views.
