Heavy Fighting Erupts in Baidoa as Laftagareen Forces Seek to Retake City
Heavy fighting has erupted in Baidoa between South West State forces and troops loyal to former president Abdiaziz Laftagareen, with rival sides claiming control of key areas.
BAIDOA, Somalia (Somali Report) — Heavy fighting erupted in parts of Baidoa on Monday between forces loyal to South West State authorities and troops aligned with former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, residents and security sources said, as rival sides claimed control of key areas of the city.
Residents told Somali Report by phone that heavy weapons could be heard in the city centre, with fighting reported in several neighbourhoods. The security situation remained tense and was developing rapidly, while the number of casualties was not immediately known.
Witnesses in the Towfiiq neighbourhood said intense clashes had broken out in the area, forcing residents to seek shelter as gunfire and explosions were heard. It was not immediately possible to independently verify the extent of the fighting or determine which side controlled the neighbourhood.
Somalia’s military accused forces loyal to Laftagareen of launching an attack on Baidoa and said government forces had repelled the assault.
In a statement, the military described the attacking fighters as “Khawaarij”, a term frequently used by the Somali government to refer to Al-Shabaab. The army said the attackers had left behind weapons and vehicles and suffered casualties during the fighting.
Laftagareen’s supporters have not publicly accepted the military’s account, and competing claims over territory have added to uncertainty surrounding the situation in Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State.
The clashes are the latest escalation in a political and security confrontation that has intensified since Laftagareen was removed from office earlier this year.
Laftagareen was ousted on March 30 after federal government forces and allied local opposition fighters entered Baidoa following heavy clashes. Under mounting military and political pressure, he initially announced his resignation and travelled to Nairobi.
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He later rejected the legitimacy of the federal government-backed takeover and maintained that he remained the rightful leader of South West State. He subsequently mobilised forces outside Baidoa and vowed to retake the city.
In June, Aden Madobe, who had been serving as speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, was elected president of South West State in an election held in Baidoa.
The election deepened tensions with Laftagareen, who has continued to challenge the new administration and retain political and military influence in the region.
Since Madobe’s election, forces loyal to Laftagareen have launched several attacks around Baidoa, according to officials and residents.
The latest fighting comes as Somalia faces broader political disputes over the relationship between the federal government and regional administrations, as well as disagreements over security and political authority.
Baidoa is strategically important as the interim capital of South West State and a major political and military centre in southern Somalia. Any prolonged fighting in the city risks disrupting civilian life and further complicating efforts to maintain stability in a region already affected by insecurity and conflict.
Residents said they remained anxious as the clashes continued, with many staying indoors amid fears that the violence could spread to additional parts of the city.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the number of casualties, the extent of damage or the precise territorial gains made by either side.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.