Fighting between forces of the Federal Government of Somalia and troops loyal to the former president of the South West administration, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen,’ broke out this morning in Buurhakaba district in the Bay region.
Ugas Hassan Abdi Mohamed, a spokesperson representing the Laftagareen faction, stated that Darwish forces loyal to their side have launched an operation inside Buurhakaba which he described as aimed at securing order.
He also urged residents to remain inside their homes while the operation continues.
Other reports indicate that officials from the Laftagareen faction, including Minister of Security Hassan Abdulqadir, inspected parts of the city.
However, there is no clear independent confirmation verifying that their forces have secured control over the entire city.
It has also been reported that the district commissioner of Buurhakaba, Ibrahim Leysaamow, was wounded in the battle, and that a technical vehicle belonging to his forces was captured. Neither of these two reports has yet received official independent confirmation.
As of now, reliable data is unavailable regarding the number of casualties or injuries in the fighting, losses of military vehicles and equipment, or the general situation of the civilian population.
Buurhakaba is located in the Bay region, approximately 60 kilometers from the city of Baidoa. The district is vital for the transit of people and transport in the region, particularly along the highway connecting Mogadishu and Baidoa.
This outbreak of fighting comes amid ongoing political and security disputes between competing factions contesting the South West administration.
Reports from the ground still require further verification, particularly concerning the condition of the district commissioner, battlefield casualties, and which party controls key strategic locations within Buurhakaba.