The conflict in Jubaland continues to worsen with regional President Ahmed Madobe now ready for a fight with federal government, Garowe online reports.
Last week, a furious Sheikh Madobe had warned that he will be forced to fight and protect Kismayo, a statement he repeated on Thursday this week.
Incidentally, his warning against President Mohammed Farmaajo came hours to another harsh statement by Al-Shabaab commander Ahmed Umar, who accuse KDF of forcefully imposing Madobe.
For a month now, relationship between Farmaajo and Madobe has deteriorated, with the former accusing the latter of rigging polls with the aid of KDF.
As part of retaliation, Farmaajo's administration imposed sanctions against Kismayo leadership, among them banning of direct flights to the sea port city.
"If our people die, Mogadishu must carry responsibility. We are ready to fight and protect our region. Those embargos are illegal. They must be lifted," a statement from Madobe's office read.
"We are ready for any aggression. We shall protect Kismayo. We are not strangers. Respect us or we face each other," added the statement.
While Jubaland is one of most stable state in Somalia, Madobe largely depends on protection from Kenya Defense Forces which mans Sector 6 and 2 of AMISOM.
The banning of direct flights to Kismayo has worsened humanitarian aid, with charity groups spending days at Aden Abdulle Airport for clearance.
Also, Mogadishu is at loggerheads with Nairobi, following Madobe's re-election and Indian Ocean maritime border row. Kenya has threatened to deploy KDF to the disputed area.
The sanctions against Madobe, who helped KDF liberate Kismayo with his Ras Kamboni Brigade, are seen as a scheme to beat him to submission to Mogadishu administration.