Baidoa (WDN) — Somalia’s political crisis has increasingly taken on the character of an armed confrontation in and around Baidoa, with forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen accusing the Federal Government of using national security forces and Turkish military support to consolidate control over the regional capital.

The latest accusations came from Ugaas Hassan Mohamed, spokesperson for Laftagareen-aligned forces, who launched a strong attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, South West State President Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madoobe) and Turkey over their roles in the unfolding conflict.

Ugaas Hassan accused the Federal Government and the current South West State leadership of treating communities that support Laftagareen as adversaries, alleging that military operations and reported airstrikes have increasingly affected communities around Baidoa.

He also claimed that authorities were pressuring residents to support Turkey and alleged that President Hassan Sheikh intends to expand the Turkish military presence in Baidoa, including the use of F-16 aircraft and drones.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and neither the Federal Government nor Turkey has publicly confirmed the specific claims concerning air operations against civilian areas. The dispute itself, however, reflects a much deeper struggle over the political future of South West State.

Laftagareen lost control of the South West presidency following the political and military developments that brought Aden Madoobe to power. Since then, Laftagareen has remained a powerful opposition figure, with his supporters rejecting the legitimacy of the current regional administration and resisting what they describe as federal interference in South West State affairs.

The confrontation has therefore evolved beyond a conventional dispute between rival politicians. It has become a struggle between the Federal Government and its allies in Baidoa on one side, and Laftagareen’s political and armed supporters on the other.

For residents caught in the middle, the distinction between political rivalry and military confrontation has become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Growing Allegations Over Turkish Military Support

The most controversial element of the conflict is the alleged role of Turkey. Laftagareen’s supporters accuse Ankara of providing military assistance to federal and South West forces operating against them, including alleged air support. Turkish involvement has become particularly contentious because Ankara has traditionally presented its security partnership with Somalia as support for national institutions and the fight against Al-Shabaab.

If foreign military capabilities are perceived by local communities as being used in an internal political confrontation, the consequences could extend well beyond Baidoa.

It could deepen resentment toward both the Federal Government and Turkey while making an already complicated political settlement considerably more difficult.

“We Will Resist”

Ugaas Hassan said forces aligned with Laftagareen would continue resisting what he described as an externally supported military campaign.

“As long as our South West Darawiish forces remain capable and ready to confront the forces that have invaded our territory—with Aden Madoobe and Hassan Sheikh leading them and Turkey providing air support—we will, God willing, drive them out,” he said.

He also described Turkey as a company allegedly “hired” by President Hassan Sheikh and warned residents of South West State against what he characterized as Ankara’s growing involvement.

The comments demonstrate how sharply the political narrative has shifted. A dispute that initially centered on regional leadership and federal authority has increasingly become intertwined with military power and foreign security assistance.

Civilians Caught in the Middle

For ordinary residents around Baidoa, the political arguments between Mogadishu, the Aden Madoobe administration and Laftagareen’s camp are increasingly being experienced through insecurity, displacement and disruption to daily life.

The central question is no longer simply who has the stronger political claim to South West State. It is whether the dispute can be resolved politically before the confrontation causes further damage to civilians and institutions.

For the Federal Government, the challenge is to demonstrate that its military presence is directed toward legitimate national security objectives rather than political consolidation.

For Laftagareen and his supporters, the challenge is to translate their opposition into a credible political strategy capable of competing for legitimacy without further destabilizing the region.

Until that happens, Baidoa is likely to remain at the center of one of Somalia’s most dangerous political confrontations—one in which the struggle for regional power increasingly carries consequences far beyond the political arena.

WardheerNews