Baidoa (WDN) – The city of Baidoa has returned to relative calm after fierce fighting erupted early Friday morning between forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and troops of the Federal Government of Somalia stationed in the regional capital.
The confrontation, which lasted for more than an hour, unfolded across several parts of the city, with heavy gunfire and military movements reported in multiple neighborhoods. While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, preliminary reports indicate that both sides suffered deaths and injuries during the clashes.
According to sources in Baidoa, forces aligned with Laftagareen later withdrew from the city, allowing security conditions to gradually stabilize. The Somali National Army’s 60th Division announced that the security situation in Baidoa is now under control and that federal forces maintain full authority over the city.
Bay Regional Police Commander Colonel Sadiq Doodishe told local media that what he described as “armed insurgent elements” launched an attack on Baidoa in the early hours of the morning, but were swiftly repelled by government forces. “Our security forces successfully thwarted the attack against Baidoa,” Doodishe said. “Operations are ongoing to evacuate the wounded and recover the bodies of those involved in the assault.”
The government’s account portrays the incident as a failed attempt to destabilize the city at a politically sensitive moment. A contrasting narrative emerged from supporters of former South West President Abdiaziz Laftagareen.
Ugaas Hassan Abdi, a former spokesman for Laftagareen’s administration, claimed that forces loyal to the former leader had achieved significant gains during the operation. In a statement posted on social media, he described the military action as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and preserve stability across South West State.
“The South West Dervish Forces carried out an operation in Baidoa early this morning as part of their continuing mission to safeguard the people and protect regional stability,” he said. He praised the forces for what he characterized as their commitment to defending civilians and maintaining security throughout the region.
Clashes Coincide With Swearing-In of New Parliament
The fighting occurred on the same day that newly elected members of the South West State Parliament were scheduled to be sworn into office in Baidoa.
The timing of the violence has intensified speculation that the confrontation is directly linked to the ongoing political dispute surrounding the future leadership and governance of South West State. Political analysts view the incident as another sign of the deepening power struggle that has increasingly defined relations between rival political factions in the region.
Despite the morning’s violence, normal life has largely resumed across Baidoa. Traffic has returned to the streets, businesses have reopened, and residents have cautiously resumed their daily activities. Security forces remain on heightened alert amid concerns that further confrontations could occur in the coming days.
The clashes have once again highlighted the fragile political environment in South West State, where unresolved disputes over leadership, legitimacy, and power-sharing continue to threaten stability.
As competing political camps harden their positions, the events in Baidoa underscore the growing volatility surrounding South West State’s political future and raise fresh concerns about the broader implications for Somalia’s federal system.
WardheerNews