 Landmines were cited as a problem affecting the area due to the fighting between the JVA and SRRC.The JVA suffered the loss of Kismayo in September 2006 to an array of ICU forces with 130 technicals, and further defeat during Islamic Court Union's takeover of the Juba Valley in October 2006,

On September 23, ICU forces under Sheik Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki approached Jilib, en route to Kismayo.Juba Valley Alliance forces withdrew without a fight.