Turkish F-16s Conduct Airstrikes Near Baidoa Amid Heavy Security for South West State Inauguration

BAIDOA – Airstrikes believed to have been carried out by Turkish F-16 fighter jets were reported on the outskirts of Baidoa on Monday, according to local sources, as the city hosts a high-level gathering of federal leaders for the inauguration of South West State’s new president.

Residents reported hearing the sound of heavy ordnance, though the extent of the damage or the specific target of the strikes could not be immediately verified. The airstrikes come as security is significantly heightened across Baidoa, with numerous federal officials, including Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, having arrived in the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe).

Somali security forces, operating in close coordination with international military partners, have previously executed airstrikes in the contested Gasarta area, strategically located between Baidoa and Dhuusamareeb in the Bay region. Those operations were aimed at targeting entrenched Al-Shabaab militant positions.

Coinciding with High-Level Inauguration Ceremony

The airstrikes occurred as Baidoa, the interim capital of South West State, prepares to host the official inauguration ceremony for President Madobe. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre have both arrived in the city to attend the event, which marks the formal beginning of Madobe’s tenure following his landslide election victory on June 10, 2026.

The gathering of federal leaders underscores the importance the central government attaches to the political transition in South West State. In addition to the President and Prime Minister, the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Dr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab, as well as the Acting Speaker of the House of the People, Sadiya Yasin Haji Samatar, and First Deputy Speaker of the Upper House, Ali Shabaan Ibrahim, are also in attendance.

Security in Baidoa Tightened Ahead of Ceremony

Security measures have been a key focus of the preparations for the inauguration, given the political sensitivities surrounding the transition. President Madobe has previously led security meetings in Baidoa, approving new steps to strengthen security, including a ban on soldiers carrying weapons in the city without official uniforms and limits on military vehicle movements.

The Somali Police Chief has convened a high-level strategic gathering with police personnel deployed in Baidoa, directing law enforcement officials to enhance tactical collaboration with other federal security entities.

The airstrikes on the outskirts of the city are likely part of broader efforts to neutralise any potential threats during the high-profile event, particularly given the presence of forces loyal to ousted President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) and Al-Shabaab militants operating in the surrounding areas. The federal government has been working to secure the city and prevent any disruptions to the ceremony.

Context of the Political Transition

President Madobe assumed office following a contested electoral process. The Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced that Madobe secured 88 votes in the presidential election, while his sole challenger received one vote. His election to a regional executive post meant he was expected to lose his position as Speaker of the House of the People under Somalia’s constitutional rules.

Way Forward

As the inauguration ceremony proceeds, the airstrikes on the outskirts of Baidoa highlight the persistent security challenges facing South West State, even as the federal government works to consolidate its authority in the region. The combination of political transition and military operations underscores the complex security landscape in which Somalia’s state-building efforts are taking place.