Southwest State in Somalia has issued a warning that the current political tension in the region could escalate into a full-blown civil war and result in a widespread humanitarian crisis. In a press statement, the authority expressed concern that the actions of the Somali Federal Government are only fueling the ongoing hostilities instead of working towards resolving the political dispute. The statement also highlighted that soldiers trained by Turkey, UAE, the UK, and the US are being used for operations that do not prioritize the fight against Al-Shabab, but rather serve internal and external political agendas. According to the statement, the situation in Southwest State is rapidly deteriorating and could potentially lead to a civil war and humanitarian catastrophe. The authority also accused the Somali Federal Government of using the national army to serve the interests of one clan, leading to further tensions and concerns of a civil war. The statement also mentioned that weapons supplied by Egypt, intended for the fight against Al-Shabab, have been seen being used in areas controlled by Southwest State, where Al-Shabab remains a dominant force. The situation in major towns like Biadoa is also at risk, as reports indicate that civilians have been forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing hostilities. Southwest State has called on the international community to urgently intervene and take steps to protect civilians and cease the hostilities. The statement also emphasized that if the situation is not addressed promptly, it could have a destabilizing effect on the entire region.
