Heavy fighting broke out in Baidoa, the administrative capital of Somalia’s South West State, on Monday as government troops confronted fighters aligned with former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
The confrontation reportedly involved ground forces as well as drones and fighter aircraft, adding to growing political and security tensions in the strategically important city. Local residents said explosions and gunfire could be heard across parts of Baidoa as the fighting continued.
The latest violence is linked to a long-running dispute between Somalia’s federal government and political forces supporting Laftagareen, who was removed from his position earlier this year.
Government says attack was repelled
Somali government forces said they had successfully pushed back the fighters who entered Baidoa.
Senior army commander Mohamed Ali said the national army confronted the attackers, inflicted heavy casualties and forced them to withdraw from the city. He also alleged that some of the attacking vehicles were carrying explosives and that explosive drones were used during the assault. These claims could not be independently verified.
Somalia’s state news agency likewise reported that government forces remained in control of Baidoa following the fighting and said they were pursuing fighters who had withdrawn from the city.
The number of casualties remained unclear as reports emerged, with conflicting accounts from the sides involved.
Thousands of fighters reportedly entered Baidoa
Local authorities said between 2,000 and 3,000 fighters were involved in the latest assault.
The fighters were reportedly loyal to Laftagareen, who has repeatedly sought to regain influence over South West State and its capital since being removed from power.
Laftagareen later praised the fighters involved, describing their objective as an effort to maintain security and restore stability and political diversity in Baidoa.
Other local reports said fighting was recorded in several neighbourhoods, while heavy weapons were heard close to important government facilities. Reports of drone use and damage to armoured vehicles have also emerged, although those details have not been independently confirmed.
Political dispute behind the clashes
The confrontation is part of a wider disagreement over political authority in South West State.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s federal administration deployed troops to Baidoa in March, removing Laftagareen from his position. The Somali National Army subsequently took control of the city, while Laftagareen continued efforts to return to power.
The dispute has contributed to repeated confrontations between federal forces and fighters supporting the former regional leader.
Baidoa’s strategic importance makes the struggle particularly significant. The city is the capital of Bay region and serves as an important political, economic and humanitarian centre in southwestern Somalia.
Civilians caught in the violence
The renewed fighting has also created difficulties for residents attempting to leave affected areas or seek medical assistance.
A Baidoa resident told AFP that civilians were struggling to escape because fighting was taking place in different parts of the city. The resident described hearing numerous explosions but said it was difficult to determine which side was responsible for the bombardment.
The disruption raises concerns for civilians in a city that already faces significant humanitarian and security challenges.
Humanitarian organisations operating in the region could also face difficulties reaching people who require assistance if access routes remain affected by the fighting.
Baidoa’s security situation
The latest clashes come months after federal forces established control over Baidoa.
A European Union Agency for Asylum assessment published earlier in 2026 said the Somali National Army had taken full control of Baidoa on March 30 after removing Laftagareen. The report also noted the presence of Ethiopian and African Union forces in the city at the time.
The city’s security situation is further complicated by the continuing presence of Al-Shabaab in parts of Bay region. While the current clashes primarily involve rival political and security factions, the broader instability provides an additional challenge for Somali authorities.
More uncertainty for Somalia’s political landscape
The fighting in Baidoa illustrates the difficulties facing Somalia as the federal government attempts to consolidate its authority while regional political disputes continue.
For residents, the immediate concern is an end to the violence and the restoration of normal movement around the city.
The government says its forces have retained control of Baidoa, while supporters of Laftagareen continue to challenge the federal-backed leadership in South West State.
With tensions still high, further clashes could deepen the political dispute and create additional security and humanitarian problems for civilians in the region.
