Forces loyal to former South West leader Abdiaziz Laftagareen have reportedly taken control of Buurhakaba after heavy clashes, marking a second territorial setback for the regional administration within a week.
BUURHAKABA, Somalia — Forces loyal to former South West state President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen took control of the town of Buurhakaba on Thursday following heavy fighting with troops aligned with Somalia’s federal government and the current regional administration, according to local reports and officials associated with the former leader.
The fighting began in the morning when Laftagareen-aligned forces launched an attack on the town in the Bay region of southwestern Somalia. The town, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Baidoa, the regional capital, had previously been held by federal government troops and forces supporting the South West administration.
After intense clashes inside the town, the attacking forces appeared to establish control over Buurhakaba. Videos circulating on social media showed several ministers from Laftagareen’s former administration in the town center. The officials said their forces had taken control of the district.
The fighters also displayed people they said had been captured during the clashes. The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate statement from Somali federal military officials confirming the takeover or providing details about the fate of troops previously stationed in the town.
The security situation remained tense Thursday, with reports of continued military movements inside Buurhakaba and in surrounding areas. No official casualty figures were immediately available, and the circumstances surrounding the reported withdrawal or displacement of government and regional forces remained unclear.
Buurhakaba is the second district in the Bay region reported to have fallen to forces loyal to Laftagareen within about a week. The same forces took control of Qansaxdheere, located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Baidoa, on Friday, according to reports from the region.
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The latest developments come as the South West administration faces growing political and security tensions linked to a dispute over regional leadership. Laftagareen’s supporters have continued to challenge the current administration, raising concerns about the potential for further confrontations in the region.
The current South West administration had previously warned that forces loyal to Laftagareen could launch attacks against other areas under its control. It also said earlier attempts by the former leader’s supporters to capture Baidoa, the region’s main political and administrative center, had failed.
The reported loss of Buurhakaba could put additional pressure on the regional leadership as it seeks to maintain control over territory and security forces amid the political dispute.
Neither Somalia’s federal government nor the South West administration had issued an immediate official statement on Thursday’s reported takeover. Independent details about the scale of the fighting, casualties and the extent of the territorial changes remained limited.
The developments highlight continuing instability in southwestern Somalia, where political rivalries have increasingly contributed to security challenges and confrontations between competing forces.
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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