Intense clashes ensued between Somali government forces and forces loyal to the former ousted Southwest State President, Mr. Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed known as Laftagaren. The heavy fighting erupted early on Monday morning on the outskirts of Baidoa and parts of villages in Bay’s provincial capital. Reports from Baidoa indicate that Laftagaren forces entered parts of Baidoa, where intense skirmishes took place there. The two sides used all kinds of heavy and light weapons. Loud explosions could be heard on the outskirts of the city before the fighting spread to the heart of Baidoa. The fighting reportedly had far-reaching implications on the security and the stability of the city. The Somali National Army, particularly the specially trained police known as Harima’ad in collaboration with Police in Baidoa could be seen engaging a war with Laftagaren forces dressed with Southwest State Dervish forces uniform battled in the city.
Unconfirmed reports say that at least 25 people including civilians were killed in the armed clashes. Witnesses confirmed that government forces stationed in the city successfully managed to drive out Laftagaren forces that launched the attack in the first place on the city. Somali Military Command released an official statement stating that its forces have foiled an attack launched by soldiers loyal to Abdiasis Laftagaren. In the statement, the Somali government has accused Laftagaren forces that they are working with Al-Shabab militants. In the statement, the Military Command further revealed that Al-Shabab fighters recently were launching attacks, with the aim of creating chaos and disrupting the security in the city.
However, the Spokesman of the former ousted Southwest State President, Mr. Ugaas Hassan Abdi Mohamed, reaffirmed that Southwest State Dervish Forces launched the raid on the city. Southwest State Security Minister, Mr. Isak Mohamed Isak known as Koosaar, has announced that Somali government forces captured prisoners including Dervish forces and Al-Shabab fighters. Somalia’s Ministry of Defense has disclosed in a statement that an operation against Al-Shabab was conducted by government forces that took place in Baidoa, and successfully eliminated 30 Al-Shabab fighters. The Defense Ministry further revealed that the operation was carried out at around 5 on Monday morning.
The statement added that Al-Shabab fighters and Laftagaren forces that colluded with Al-Shabab launched the attack on military positions held by government forces in Baidoa. The Defense Ministry pointed out that government forces immediately thwarted the raid and foiled the group’s plan in disrupting the security and the stability in the city. The Somali government announced that government troops seized weapons and military equipment. At least ten people, mostly from the warring forces were taken to the hospitals in the city, specifically in Bay regional hospital where the injured are recuperating. This is the second time that Laftagaren forces launched an attack on the city. The previous raid took place on May, 30, 2026.
