Security tensions remain high in and around Baidoa, the capital of Somalia’s Southwest State, amid reports of renewed clashes, military movements and growing political friction following the killing of Commander Abdirahman Saylici.
Fighting has reportedly broken out on the outskirts of the city between Southwest State Darawish forces and troops aligned with House of the People Speaker Adan Mohamed Nur, widely known as Adan Madoobe.
Residents have also reportedly heard aircraft in the area, while separate accounts suggest an F-16 fighter jet returned to Mogadishu. The aircraft’s mission and any connection to the clashes have not been independently confirmed.
The latest developments follow clashes in Baidoa in late September 2026, when political tensions in Southwest State escalated into armed confrontations.
Dhacdo.com reported on September 28 that forces supporting former Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen had launched an attack on the city, while federal government troops and forces aligned with the administration led by Adan Madoobe resisted the advance.
The rival sides have offered differing accounts of the fighting and its outcome. Adan Madoobe’s administration said its forces had repelled an attack, while Laftagareen’s camp accused the federal government and Türkiye of using F-16 fighter jets during the clashes.
Allegations concerning the aircraft’s targets and possible civilian casualties require independent verification.
Reports about Turkish F-16 aircraft have become a prominent feature of the wider dispute over the fighting in Baidoa.
However, the available information does not establish the circumstances of any alleged airstrikes or confirm whether the aircraft were directly involved in the latest clashes.
The killing of Commander Abdirahman Saylici has added another point of concern, with questions being raised about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Further verified information is needed to establish the details of the killing and determine whether it is directly connected to the current fighting.
Continued clashes in and around Baidoa could threaten civilians, disrupt transport and commercial activity, and restrict access to essential services.
Residents in surrounding communities may also face displacement and difficulties reaching healthcare facilities if insecurity intensifies.
The situation reflects the broader political and security dispute in Southwest State, where competing claims to authority have increasingly coincided with armed mobilisation.
The immediate outlook will depend in part on whether the opposing sides can prevent further escalation and clarify the circumstances surrounding recent security incidents.