Former South West President Laftagareen Condemns Airstrikes Targeting Ally in Doolow

BAIDOA — The Government of the Southwest State of Somalia has strongly condemned airstrikes in Doolow District, Gedo Region, and areas near Baidoa, accusing the federal government of using Turkish military capabilities for political repression targeting opponents of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud .

In a press release issued on September 4, the Office of the President of the Southwest State alleged that an F-16 fighter aircraft was involved in the strikes, with two Turkish nationals and one Somali national participating in the operation . The administration identified the individual who directly ordered the attacks and said it would take appropriate measures in response .

The statement specifically condemned what it described as an “attempted assassination and aerial bombardment” directed against Commander Mahad Abidrahman Adan (Taliye Shubu) in Doolow . It also condemned attacks launched on Friday morning on the outskirts of Baidoa by forces it said were unlawfully mobilized from different parts of Somalia under the direction of President Mohamud, whose constitutional mandate, the statement said, has expired .

Accusations of Political Repression

Laftagareen has previously rejected federal allegations linking forces loyal to him to Al-Shabaab, warning that such claims could endanger civilians and worsen political tensions . In August, his office expressed concern over an African Union Commission memorandum and insisted that Southwest Darawish forces are legally established security units mandated to protect civilians and public institutions .

Laftagareen has called for political disagreements to be resolved through dialogue and constitutional procedures, warning that using military force in political disputes could fuel further violence, displacement, and social divisions . His administration also urged AUSSOM to maintain political neutrality and impartiality and avoid taking sides in domestic disputes .

Growing Political Crisis

The latest violence follows months of growing tensions between Laftagareen and Somalia’s federal government, which intensified after federal forces took control of Baidoa in March . The dispute has increasingly developed into an armed confrontation, with Laftagareen-aligned forces maintaining their opposition to the federal-backed administration in Baidoa . Heavy fighting erupted in Baidoa on Thursday between federal government forces and fighters loyal to Laftagareen, with residents reporting heavy gunfire in several parts of the city .

A spokesman for Laftagareen’s forces said an operation had been launched to take control of Baidoa and called on federal soldiers to surrender . The fighting has reportedly spread to civilian areas, with electricity cut in parts of Baidoa and reports of fires in residential neighborhoods .

Laftagareen has rejected federal allegations that he has formed an alliance with Al-Shabaab, insisting that his forces launched the attack in an attempt to remove what he described as “invading forces” and restore control of the South West State administration .

International Concerns

The Office of the President called upon international organizations including the United Nations, African Union, IGAD, League of Arab States, European Union, United States, and United Kingdom to closely monitor what it described as atrocities being committed by the administration of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud .

Jubaland has also condemned the reported airstrike, accusing Turkey of abandoning the neutral role it had previously played in Somalia’s affairs . The administration called for a review of the arms restrictions imposed on Somalia and said Turkey would “no longer be regarded as neutral” .

The South West administration warned that the alleged use of Turkish drones to target Somali politicians and military officers could further deepen political tensions in the country and called for an independent international investigation .

Critical Note

The strongly worded statement from Laftagareen’s administration reflects the deepening political crisis in South West State, where political differences have increasingly escalated into armed confrontation. The allegations that Turkish military capabilities are being used for political repression add a dangerous new dimension to the conflict, potentially undermining Ankara’s role as a mediator and partner in Somalia’s stabilization efforts.

However, the competing narratives from the federal government and regional administrations make it difficult to independently verify the facts on the ground. Both sides have made allegations that are politically charged and difficult to substantiate. The federal government has denied involvement in the Doolow incident, while regional administrations have attributed the strike to Turkish drones operating with federal backing.

The use of military force to resolve political disputes risks further destabilizing an already fragile situation and undermining the broader fight against Al-Shabaab. The international community must urgently press for de-escalation and dialogue, and both the federal government and regional administrations must commit to resolving their differences through political means rather than military confrontation.