Baidoa, Somalia – The Minister of Internal Security of the Federal Government of Somalia, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, led a high-level delegation to Baidoa, the capital of Southwest State, for an official visit aimed at assessing the current security situation in the region.
The visit comes at a critical time as Somalia intensifies its national security operations against Al-Shabaab and other destabilizing elements. Fartaag’s delegation included senior security officials and representatives from various federal agencies tasked with internal security coordination.
Upon arrival, the minister held a series of closed-door meetings with local authorities, Southwest State leaders, and regional security commanders. Discussions focused on recent developments in the fight against terrorism, collaboration between federal and state forces, and strategies to enhance public safety and civilian protection.
“Our mission here is to support the people and administration of Southwest State, ensure security mechanisms are fully operational, and strengthen coordination between our forces. Baidoa plays a pivotal role in the fight against terrorism, and our presence here reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring lasting peace,” said Fartaag during a joint press briefing with regional officials.
Local residents have expressed concern over sporadic attacks in rural areas, particularly in districts bordering Al-Shabaab-controlled zones. Fartaag emphasized the importance of intelligence-sharing and community involvement in combating extremist threats, noting that the government is prioritizing capacity-building and morale-boosting for frontline security personnel.
The visit also included an inspection of military and police installations in and around Baidoa. Security forces were briefed on new federal directives aimed at accelerating counterterrorism operations under the National Stabilization Plan.
This visit underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to stabilize Somalia through improved security governance, inter-agency collaboration, and close engagement with Federal Member States (FMS).