DOLOW, Somalia — Ethiopian troops have advanced into the Gedo area of Somalia and are stepping up their military actions close to the Dolow district. While setting up temporary outposts in the region, troops armed with military vehicles have reportedly been thoroughly searching people and cars.

The deployment’s exact goals are yet unknown, but the presence of foreign troops and increased military action has deeply alarmed locals in a precarious situation. This incident comes amid long-standing hostilities between the semi-autonomous Jubbaland state, based in Kismayo, and Somalia’s federal government, located in Mogadishu. Governance, resource allocation, and security force control have been points of contention between the two parties. Jubbaland has traditionally regarded Ethiopia’s participation in the area with suspicion.

The effects of this military buildup are quite personal for the populations of Gedo. Residents who already struggle with insecurity may now have to relocate or have limited access to basic services. One Dolow resident said, “We just want stability—we’ve had enough conflict.” There is a serious concern about possible conflicts between Ethiopian forces and local militias, such as the security forces in Jubbaland. Instead of tackling the underlying reasons of insecurity, many in the region fear that further militarization will make already-existing vulnerabilities worse.

Calm and mediation are being called for more and more as the crisis develops. In an effort to stop further escalation, regional institutions such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union may be prepared to step in diplomatically. But for the time being, the uncertainty is a major burden.