An airstrike has targeted a suspected Al-Shabaab meeting site outside Baidoa, with local sources reporting casualties and the destruction of weapons and military vehicles.
The strike took place on the outskirts of Baidoa, the temporary administrative capital of Somalia's South West state, the sources said.
According to the sources, senior Al-Shabaab figures and other fighters were present at the site when it was targeted. They said the airstrike caused casualties among the militants, but did not provide an exact number of people killed or wounded.
The sources also said weapons and military vehicles belonging to the armed group were destroyed in the strike.
They described the attack as a major blow to Al-Shabaab operations in the area, saying it disrupted preparations for a planned assault on Baidoa.
There was no immediate official statement from the Somali government confirming the airstrike, identifying the aircraft involved or providing details about casualties.
The circumstances surrounding the attack could not immediately be independently verified.
The reported strike comes as Baidoa faces growing political and security tensions linked to a dispute over the administration of South West state.
Military movements have been reported around the city in recent days, raising concerns that the political standoff could escalate into armed confrontation.
Somali Report · Newsletter
Your morning briefing on Somalia's biggest stories — politics, security, business, and the people shaping the region's future.
The tensions have intensified following political developments involving South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, who has emerged as a rival political figure in the region.
The dispute has added to broader tensions between Somalia's federal government and regional political forces, with disagreements focusing on political authority, security arrangements and the future administration of South West state.
Baidoa remains strategically important because of its location and its role as the administrative centre of South West state. The city has also been a major focus of government efforts to strengthen security and counter Al-Shabaab, which remains active across parts of southern and central Somalia.
The militant group has continued to launch attacks against government forces and civilian targets despite years of military operations by Somali forces and international partners.
Airstrikes have formed a key part of those operations, with Somalia receiving aerial support from international partners in its campaign against Al-Shabaab.
The latest reported attack comes amid continued efforts by Somali forces to disrupt the group's movements, command structures and preparations for attacks.
However, without an official account, it remains unclear who carried out Monday night's strike, what specific target was hit and how many people may have been killed or wounded.
Further details, including casualty figures and information about the aircraft involved, are expected from Somali authorities or international military partners.
The incident is likely to draw further attention as Baidoa remains at the centre of both the fight against Al-Shabaab and an increasingly tense political dispute over control and governance in South West state. Baidoa is located approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) northwest of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
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.
