Clashes erupted on Wednesday between forces from Somalia's federal government and the semi-autonomous Jubbaland region, raising concerns that internal rivalries are diverting attention from the fight against the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group.

Clashes have erupted in a southern town in Somalia between the country’s federal government forces and regional troops of the state of Jubbaland amid escalating tensions over a disputed regional election there.

Intense combat erupted on Wednesday in Raskamboni, located in the Lower Juba region of southern Somalia, pitting Somali Federal Government (SFG) forces against Jubaland regional security units. The clashes have raised concerns about stability in an area already fraught with security challenges due to the presence of Al-Shabaab militants.

Fighting has erupted between forces from Somalia's semi-autonomous Jubbaland region and federal government forces, officials said on Wednesday, in an escalation of tensions after Jubbaland held elections against the federal government's advice.

Somalia said on Thursday it had pulled federal troops out of the southwestern Lower Juba region, after clashes with local forces from Jubbaland state which has broken off ties with the central government.