Several Villages Reportedly Targeted as Tensions Between Federal Forces and Laftagareen-Aligned Fighters Escalate

BAIDOA (WDN) — Explosions rocked the outskirts of Baidoa late last night as drones reportedly launched a series of strikes against positions believed to be occupied by forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.

The reported airstrikes mark a dramatic new development in the escalating confrontation around Baidoa, where a bitter political dispute has increasingly spilled into the security arena.

Local sources said several villages outside the South West capital were targeted after Laftagareen-aligned fighters were reportedly seen gathering in the area and preparing for possible military operations around Baidoa.

The intensity and exact scale of the strikes remain unclear. There were no immediately confirmed reports of deaths or injuries, and the identity of the aircraft and the party responsible for the reported attacks could not independently be established.

The developments nevertheless have heightened fears that the political confrontation over South West State could be entering a more dangerous phase, with military capabilities increasingly becoming part of the struggle between rival political forces.

The reported targets were said to be areas where fighters aligned with Laftagareen had allegedly been mobilizing. However, there was no independent confirmation that those targeted were involved in preparations for an attack on Baidoa.

The reports are particularly significant because of the growing sensitivity surrounding the use of drones and other advanced military capabilities in Somalia. Such weapons are primarily associated with counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab, making any confirmed deployment against forces linked to a political faction a potentially consequential development.

For now, however, the reported strikes remain subject to verification. No official statement had been issued at the time of publication by the Somali federal government, South West authorities or Laftagareen-aligned forces confirming the attacks, identifying the targets or reporting casualties. Further details are expected as authorities respond to the overnight strikes.

WardheerNews