Clashes Erupt Outside Baidoa Between Federal Troops and Laftagareen Forces

BAIDOA: Fighting broke out on the outskirts of Baidoa as forces loyal to the ousted South West State leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen attacked positions held by Somali federal government troops, security sources and residents reported on Friday. The confrontations occurred near the southwestern city of Baidoa, escalating political and security tensions in the region amid a continuing dispute over leadership of South West State.

According to residents, the violence started when fighters aligned with Laftagareen launched attacks on bases controlled by Federal Government of Somalia forces. No immediate official confirmation of casualties was reported, and neither Somali federal authorities nor South West State officials had made public statements regarding the fighting. Witnesses reported that tensions remained high in and around Baidoa, with concerns that the violence could escalate further. The Somali government conducted a disputed election in the city, with results still pending announcement.

Laftagareen Vows Return From Exile as Political Crisis Deepens

Laftagareen was removed from power on March 30 following weeks of political deadlock and military standoffs with the Federal Government of Somalia regarding contested South West State elections. The former regional leader, currently in Kenya, maintains he is the lawful president of South West State and has pledged to return to Baidoa. Sources familiar with the situation indicated that forces loyal to Laftagareen have been assembling on the city’s outskirts in recent weeks, sparking worries about renewed conflict in the area.

The political standoff has been marked by rival claims over attacks in and around Baidoa, with the federal government accusing militias loyal to the former president of integrating with Al-Shabaab. The federal government had previously rejected Laftagareen’s re-election in March, describing it as an “illegal pseudo-election.”