BAIDOA — Heavy fighting erupted Yestarday on the outskirts of Baidoa between forces loyal to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and troops aligned with South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), with both sides issuing conflicting reports and claiming decisive military victories.
Conflicting Narratives Over the Assault
The Federal Ministry of Defense released an official statement asserting that Somali National Army (SNA) units, operating alongside allied local militias known as the South West Salvation (Badbaadada Koonfur Galbeed), were ambushed while conducting routine counter-terrorism operations against Al-Shabaab.
According to the federal press release, the SNA troops swiftly repelled the aggression. “SNA forces conducting anti-Kharijite operations outside Baidoa were attacked this morning by armed militias taking orders from Abdiaziz Laftagareen,” the Ministry stated. “The forces, on high alert, quickly reacted, defended themselves, and defeated the militias who launched the unprovoked attack.”
Conversely, the South West State administration completely rejected the federal narrative, framing the confrontation as a direct invasion ordered by Mogadishu. Regional officials declared that their security forces successfully thwarted an aggressive federal incursion aimed at destabilizing the regional capital.
“Those who launched an invasion on the people and government of Southwest, sent by [President] Hassan Sheikh, will never succeed,” read a defiant statement issued by the regional administration. “They were truly defeated, and it became clear again that any enemy trying to destabilize the security and stability of the public will face defeat and failure.”
Captives and Escalating Regional Crisis
In a move that further inflamed the situation, the Federal Ministry of Defense claimed to have taken prisoners during the clashes. The Ministry published images purportedly showing captured South West State fighters blindfolded and in the custody of the National Army.
The South West administration ignored the claims of captured personnel, instead praising the resilience of its forces and local residents. “The public and security agencies showed bravery and unity, sending a clear message to anyone with bad intentions. The government and people of Southwest will continue to defend their land and protect peace and unity,” the regional statement concluded.
This armed confrontation marks a dangerous boiling point in the ongoing political crisis between Mogadishu and Baidoa. It directly follows recent strategic mobilizations of federal troops toward Baidoa, which previously prompted the regional administration to warn that the central government’s actions constituted a “direct military war” against South West State.
