Warplanes carried out overnight airstrikes on suspected Al-Shabaab positions outside Baidoa as security and political tensions continue to rise in Somalia’s South West state.
BAIDOA, Somalia (Somali Report) — Warplanes carried out airstrikes on the outskirts of the southwestern Somali city of Baidoa overnight, security officials said Wednesday, with reports emerging that the raids targeted suspected Al-Shabaab fighters.
The aircraft struck areas outside Baidoa, the temporary administrative capital of the South West state and a strategically important city in Somalia’s Bay region.
Security officials said the targeted locations were believed to be hosting Al-Shabaab fighters who were allegedly preparing attacks against Baidoa.
“The militants were planning an attack on the city, but their plans were disrupted before they could carry it out,” a security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly.
There was no immediate confirmation of casualties from the strikes, and the scale of any damage remained unclear.
Residents reported hearing powerful explosions outside the city during the night, while heightened military activity was reported in surrounding areas on Wednesday.
Neither the Somali federal government nor the South West state administration immediately issued an official statement on the airstrikes.
The identity of the forces that carried out the strikes was also not immediately clear.
Baidoa has experienced growing political and security tensions in recent months, with armed forces loyal to former South West state president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, commonly known as Laftagareen, maintaining positions outside the city.
Laftagareen, who previously led the South West administration, remains a significant figure in the region's political landscape, and the presence of armed forces loyal to him has added another layer of tension to an area already threatened by the Al-Shabaab insurgency.
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The latest airstrikes come as the administration led by South West President Aadan Mohamed Nur, widely known as Aadan Madoobe, has recently warned that it would take action against both Al-Shabaab and armed forces loyal to Laftagareen stationed around Baidoa.
It was not immediately clear whether the overnight strikes were connected exclusively to operations against Al-Shabaab or whether the broader political and military tensions around the city had played a role in the increased security activity.
Somalia has for years relied on a combination of its national security forces, regional forces and international partners in its campaign against Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group that controls or exerts influence over parts of central and southern Somalia.
The group frequently carries out attacks against government installations, security forces and civilian targets and has sought to maintain pressure on major towns and cities despite repeated military offensives.
South West authorities have said strengthening security in Baidoa and other areas under their control is among their main priorities.
Officials have pledged to support security forces and improve the protection of civilians as they confront threats from Al-Shabaab and navigate growing political divisions within the regional administration.
The situation around Baidoa remained tense on Wednesday, with increased troop movements reported in and around the city.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for any planned attack that the airstrikes were said to have prevented, and independent verification of the claims by security officials was not immediately possible.
Further details on the operation, including the number of aircraft involved and whether there were casualties, were expected to emerge as authorities assess the aftermath of the overnight strikes.
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.
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