2.1.4. Jubbaland - Checkpoints and road security

A report published by the Rift Valley Institute (RVI) and other organisations noted that, as of October 2023, 34 % of all of Somalia’s checkpoints were located in Jubbaland State, the vast majority (80 %) in Lower Juba region.613 The International Peace Information Service (IPIS), a Belgium-based humanitarian research institute614 that had contributed to the above-mentioned report, identified multiple checkpoints located on the Kismayo–Afmadow–Dhobley road (with those between Kismayo and Afmadow under Al-Shabaab control), on the Kismayo–Badhaadhe road (where Al-Shabaab controlled most checkpoints, including in Badhaadhe town), and on the Kismayo–Jamaame–Jilib–Bardhere road (where Al-Shabaab was likewise in control of most checkpoints).615 For an overview on checkpoints at country level see section 1.7 and Map 4.

ACLED reported that Al-Shabaab mobilisation in Jubbaland increased in September 2024 as the group set up two new checkpoints and bases along the roads between Kismayo and Afmadow and Jamaame. Moreover, Al-Shabaab imposed a transport blockade on Bardhere town (Gedo) which allowed the group to extort funds from traders and travellers.616

Jubbaland witnessed a number of roadside bombings during the reference period, including an attack near Bulo Haji (targeting a Jubbaland official),617 the road between Luuq and Doolow (targeting SNA troops),618 the Belet Xaawo–Doolow road (targeting government forces619 and civilians620). Al-Shabaab planted IEDs on roads leading into Kismayo city621 and in Gedo region to ambush the armed forces.622