Several states in the deeply fragmented country are opposed to control by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and in March his government sent in troops to oust the head of South West State, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
He has launched repeated attempts to retake the region and its main city of Baidoa, most recently in September when thousands of his forces attacked, leaving at least three people dead.
The fighting erupted as Somali security forces established new defensive positions in Burjeedka, a small settlement near the city.
“A large-scale operation targeting terrorist groups began this morning,” South West State’s information minister Nur Siidow Baaba told reporters.
He said federal forces were advancing in several directions “to restore state authority in areas recently lost.”
“We inflicted heavy casualties, while two of our soldiers were killed,” said Somali army commander Abdullahi Hassan.
But a pro-Laftagareen commander, Hassan Abdulkadir Mohamed, claimed his forces were in control.“A unit of our Darwiish forces clashed with enemy troops from Mogadishu, forcing them into a humiliating retreat to Baidoa,” he said, without providing more details.
Witnesses in Baidoa reported hearing heavy fighting along the road to Mogadishu early on Monday.
“We heard loud explosions and saw a convoy of reinforcements leaving the city toward the fighting. Gunfire continued for more than an hour,” said resident Nur Yare.
The full casualty toll remains unknown, although both sides acknowledged losses in the clash.
Last week, at least three members of a pro-Laftagareen militia were killed by airstrikes in the Wajid district, Bakool region.
Jubaland authorities report that clashes erupted at midnight between their forces and troops from the Somali Federal Government causing dozen of casualties near Raaskambooni, a strategic coastal town approximately 270km from Kismayo.
Details about casualties remain unclear, as telecommunication services in the area have been disrupted for several days, complicating independent verification.
The Federal Government recently deployed Turkish-trained elite units, Gorgor and Haramcad, to Raaskambooni, allegedly to counter the re-election of Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe.
In response, Jubaland claims its forces are advancing toward federal positions in the area.
The town, located near the Kenyan border, is under blockade as air and road access has been restricted due to the escalating tensions.
Concerns are mounting that further violence could spill over into Kenya, aggravating regional security challenges
In a separate incident, Al-Shabaab militants attacked Jubaland forces stationed in Buulo Xaaji, a town 34km away, on Thursday night.
Jubaland military officer Ahmed Nur confirmed that their troops repelled the assault, thwarting the militants’ attempt to seize the town.
"Last night, the terrorists attacked our bases. We repulsed them, and their attempt to capture Buulo Xaaji was not successful,” Nur stated.
Jubaland officials warn that Al-Shabaab has been regrouping in the region and could exploit the ongoing political row between Mogadishu and Kismayo.
The dispute between the Somali Federal Government and Jubaland has worsened in recent weeks, with Jubaland Deputy President Mohamud Sayid Adan accusing Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre of inciting "a civil war" in Somalia.
Concerns over a potential civil war have intensified as the Federal Government deployed troops, primarily drawn from the Hawiye clan, to the Raaskaambooni and Gedo, a region predominantly led by the Daarood clan.
The deployment has further exacerbated tensions in the already volatile area.
"It is unfortunate that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his prime minister have decided to create civil war in the country. I want to warn them,” Adan stated during a press briefing in Kismayo.
The Kismayo-based judiciary recently issued an arrest warrant for President Mohamud on charges including constitutional violations, collaboration with Al-Shabaab, unlawful killings, embezzlement, and inciting armed revolts.
Similarly, a Mogadishu court under the federal government issued another arrest warrant for Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe.
The situation remains tense as political, military, and security conflicts converge in the region, raising fears of prolonged instability in Somalia.