General Mahad Abdirahman, a senior commander loyal to the ousted president of Southwest State administration led by Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen,” arrived on Saturday in areas north of Baidoa, where forces loyal to Laftagareen are stationed.
Sources in the area told Kaab TV that General Mahad and the officers accompanying him traveled to the frontlines to accelerate military mobilization and preparations for an offensive aimed at recapturing Baidoa.
The city has been under the control of the administration led by Aden Madobe since the end of March, with the backing of the federal government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Witnesses said the reinforcements included large numbers of troops and military vehicles, which were deployed to positions held by pro-Laftagareen forces north of Baidoa.
The forces have been regrouping and mobilizing across parts of Bay region in recent weeks.
Over the past several weeks, fighters loyal to Laftagareen have launched a series of attacks targeting Baidoa, leading to heavy clashes with forces aligned with the Aden Madobe administration.
The fighting has resulted in casualties, although no official death toll has been released.
Residents who spoke to Kaab TV said mortar shells have continued to land inside the city during the night, raising fears among civilians.
General Mahad, the former commander of the Somalia prisoner corps service and Laftagareen’s father-in-law, recently returned from Kenya, where he had been staying after leaving federal house arrest imposed on him in late March 2026.
At that time, federal government forces and allied clan militias seized control of Baidoa, forcing Laftagareen and his senior officials to flee the city.
Laftagareen left Baidoa on 28 March 2026 after the city was captured by clan militias composed of fighters from Hawiye clans and some members of the Rahanweyn community, who were backed by the federal government.
Officials from the former Southwest administration accused Turkish forces of providing aerial support to the federal-backed offensive that captured Baidoa.
Since leaving the city, Laftagareen has been based in Nairobi, Kenya, where he has been working to reorganize his forces and political supporters.
General Mahad has not yet publicly commented on his visit to the outskirts of Baidoa or the purpose of the military movements he is leading.
Meanwhile, pro-Laftagareen forces have repeatedly vowed in recent days to retake Baidoa.
Their spokesperson, Hassan Mohamed, has previously said the group is determined to regain control of the city.
Last week, the group also issued a warning to residents of Baidoa, urging civilians to stay away from government buildings and areas occupied by forces loyal to the Aden Madobe administration.
Baidoa remains on high security alert, with fears that renewed fighting could erupt at any time as both sides continue military mobilization and troop movements around the city.