Over 600 Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers have fled the country and entered Kenya after clashing with Jubaland forces.

A fight erupted on Wednesday between Somalia’s semi-autonomous Jubaland region and federal government forces after Jubaland held an election against the advice of authorities in Mogadishu.

The fight broke out in Ras Kamboni, a town bordering Kenya, after which the SNA soldiers crossed the Ishiakani border in Lamu county and surrendered their weapons to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

The SNA soldiers are currently under the KDF’s custody with the support of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Addressing the matter, Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo said the soldiers could be sent back to Somalia today, Friday, December 13.

The clashes have raised concerns that internal rivalries are diverting attention from the fight against the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group.

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