The security situation in Baidoa, the capital of South West State and the administrative center of Bay region, remains highly tense this morning after heavy fighting broke out between Federal Government forces and troops reportedly loyal to former South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
Reports from inside the city say gunfire and heavy weapons have been heard in several parts of Baidoa, leaving residents facing fear and uncertainty as the clashes continue.
Ugaas Hassan, a spokesperson for forces aligned with Laftagareen, said his troops entered Baidoa from several directions and had taken control of parts of the city.
He also called on Federal Government troops who are not originally from the area to surrender peacefully, saying those who lay down their arms would be treated respectfully.
Other reports from the Laftagareen-aligned forces claim that they control several neighborhoods and are attempting to expand the areas under their control.
However, the claim that the forces have captured the entire city has not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, the command of the Federal Government forces said its troops had repelled the attack.
Government statements described the attackers as “Khawarij,” a term commonly used by Somali authorities to refer to Al-Shabaab, and said the national army had thwarted attacks against its military positions.
The two sides are therefore giving sharply different accounts of the situation and who controls key areas of Baidoa.
Communications provided by Hormuud have reportedly been disrupted in parts of the city, making it more difficult to independently verify videos, casualty reports and other information emerging from the battlefield.
The latest reports indicate that intermittent gunfire can still be heard around Xero Jaad, one of the key areas of Baidoa.
Residents have also reported damage to some homes, while others were reportedly destroyed after being hit by artillery or other heavy weapons.
There is still no independently verified official figure for the number of people killed or wounded in the fighting.
Some reports indicate that both sides have suffered deaths and injuries and that fighters have been captured. However, these claims remain subject to further verification.
Bodies, Wounded and Prisoners Reportedly to Be Displayed
Officials and political supporters on opposing sides of the Baidoa conflict have said that bodies, wounded fighters and prisoners allegedly captured during the fighting could be presented in the coming hours.
Reports from inside the city also indicate that a Turkish-supplied armored vehicle used by Somali forces was set on fire in Baidoa.
The vehicle was reportedly used previously in military operations in the city. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident, including who set it on fire and exactly when it happened, have not been independently confirmed.
If the fighting continues, the number of people displaced within Baidoa could rise as civilians seek safer locations.
Baidoa already hosts a large displaced population. A report by the European Union Agency for Asylum has previously highlighted the significant presence of internally displaced people in the city and the high level of security incidents recorded in Bay region.
Political Tensions Behind the Fighting
The political dimension of the crisis has also come into focus. Speaker of Somalia’s Federal Parliament, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, is reportedly in Mogadishu as heavy fighting continues in Baidoa.
His presence in the capital has added to speculation about the broader political and security implications of the renewed confrontation in South West State, with Baidoa once again becoming the main flashpoint between the rival sides.
The latest fighting comes after months of political tension between the Federal Government and the South West State leadership.
In March 2026, South West State announced that it was suspending relations and cooperation with the Federal Government, accusing Mogadishu of attempting to remove Laftagareen from office.
Reuters reported at the time that the dispute was linked to wider disagreements over constitutional amendments, elections and the distribution of powers between the Federal Government and Somalia’s federal member states.
By late March, Federal Government forces had taken control of Baidoa as the political and security situation deteriorated sharply.
Reports from international organizations also documented heavy clashes and heightened tensions between federal forces and groups supporting Laftagareen around the time government troops entered the city.
The renewed fighting is now raising concerns that the political confrontation could further destabilize South West State and divert attention and resources from ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab.
There are also fears that prolonged fighting in Baidoa could worsen the humanitarian situation, disrupt the movement of civilians and aid workers, and undermine security across Bay region.
For now, the situation remains fluid, with competing claims over territorial control and casualties. Independent confirmation will be needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn about who controls Baidoa and the full scale of the fighting.