General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, Commander of the National Army’s Ground Forces, remains in Baidoa to oversee efforts to strengthen security and coordinate the Armed Forces.
The Commander is participating in meetings focused on security and planning a joint operation involving the National Army and Southwest State forces; the objective is to push back forces loyal to the former President of Southwest State, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), as well as Al-Shabaab militants, from the city’s outskirts.
The Federal Government and the Southwest State administration have previously alleged that forces loyal to Laftagareen have collaborated with Al-Shabaab militants—accusations that the opposition faction led by Laftagareen has denied.
The planned joint operation coordinates units from the National Army, the Darawish forces, and Southwest State’s rapid response units to bolster security in Baidoa and secure the surrounding areas.
The Ground Forces Commander, who arrived in Baidoa on Saturday, delivered military equipment intended for the troops.
On Sunday, the Commander inspected the joint forces stationed at defensive positions on the outskirts of the city. General Sahal Abdullahi and other officers are focusing on preventing attacks orchestrated from outside the city that involve supporters of Laftagareen.
The Commander of the National Army’s Ground Forces, General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, currently visiting Baidoa, inspected the positions held by the armed forces on the outskirts of the city.
Stationed at the city’s periphery and entry points, these troops safeguard Baidoa to preempt security threats.
The Ground Forces Commander assessed the cooperation between Federal Government forces and Southwest State forces regarding security operations and the city’s defense.
In recent months, the city has become a theater of contention between the new administration led by Adan Mohamed Nur (Adan Madobe) and the former leadership of the Southwest State.
Forces loyal to the former President of the Southwest State, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), alongside Al-Shabaab militants, have been accused of destabilizing the city’s security.
General Sahal Abdullahi Omar was accompanied during this inspection by the Commander of the National Army’s 60th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Isaaq Adan Berdale, and other officers.
The Ground Forces Commander is working with the 60th Division command and security agencies on efforts to strengthen security in the city and its surrounding areas.
