BAIDOA (Kaab TV) – Forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen say they have launched operations in areas outside the city of Baidoa following deadly clashes that erupted near the city last week.
Last week, heavy fighting broke out on the outskirts of Baidoa between forces loyal to Laftagareen and federal government troops that took control of the city in March.
The Federal Government of Somalia said two senior officers commanding units of the Turkish-trained Gorgor forces were among those killed in the clashes.
Sources close to Laftagareen’s forces said they carried out ground operations in villages surrounding Baidoa and warned local residents not to cooperate with troops stationed in the city, whom they described as “forces deployed from Mogadishu and occupying the area by force.”
The ongoing tensions in Baidoa stem from a long-running political dispute over the leadership of South West State, particularly delays in elections and disagreements between the Laftagareen administration and politicians backed by the federal government.
In March, Laftagareen’s administration withdrew from Baidoa and established its base in Nairobi.
The crisis intensified after reports emerged of plans to establish a new South West leadership, a move strongly opposed by Laftagareen supporters, who view it as an attempt to undermine the existing administration.
An election held in Baidoa, whose official results have yet to be announced, has fueled speculation that Villa Somalia intends to hand power to Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, the Speaker of Somalia’s Parliament and an ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Forces loyal to Laftagareen operating outside Baidoa said they would continue their military operations, claiming they are resisting “an attempt to seize control of the city.”
Meanwhile, security concerns among residents are growing, with some families reportedly beginning to flee Baidoa for nearby villages to avoid further fighting.