On Wednesday, fighting broke out in Somalia’s semi-autonomous [Jubbaland](https://www.voanews.com/a/officials-fighting-breaks-out-between-somalia-s-jubbaland-region-and-federal-government/7897185.html) between regional and federal government forces. The violence came after Jubbaland held an election without Mogadishu’s authorization that granted **Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe** a third consecutive term.
**What happened?** When Jubbaland ignored the federal government’s opposition to the election, Mogadishu issued an arrest warrant for Madobe, and Jubbaland responded by issuing a reciprocal warrant for President **Hassan Sheikh Mohamud**.
Somalia's defense minister accused the Jubbaland forces of initiating the clashes on Wednesday, but the federal government responded with drone strikes, and both sides are reporting casualties.
**Why it matters:** The fighting is taking place in a strategically important region. Jubbaland, one of Somalia’s five semi-autonomous regions, is situated adjacent to Kenya and Ethiopia. It is Somalia’s breadbasket, its shoreline delineates a contested maritime zone with Kenya, with potential oil and gas deposits, and Kismayu is a key port.