Officials aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen have reportedly visited parts of Buurhakaba district in Somalia’s Bay region following clashes between federal government forces and fighters loyal to the former regional leader.
The fighting broke out on the morning of the reported incident, as political and security tensions continued between rival factions competing for influence in South West State.
The clashes have raised concerns about the security situation in Buurhakaba and the potential impact on residents and transport routes connecting the area to other parts of southern Somalia.
Ugas Hassan Abdi Mohamed, a spokesperson for Laftagareen’s side, said forces aligned with the former president’s administration had launched what he described as a security operation inside Buurhakaba.
He urged residents to remain indoors while the operation was underway.
Separate reports indicated that officials from Laftagareen’s camp, including Security Minister Hassan Abdulqadir, toured parts of the district.
However, there has been no independent confirmation that forces loyal to the former regional leader have taken control of the entire town.
Reports also claimed that Buurhakaba district commissioner Ibrahim Leysaamow was wounded during the fighting and that his forces lost an Cabdi Bile military vehicle. Neither claim had received independent official confirmation at the time of reporting.
The number of people killed or injured remains unclear. There is also no verified information about the extent of damage to vehicles and military equipment or the overall impact on civilians.
Buurhakaba is located in Bay region, approximately 60 kilometres from Baidoa, the administrative centre of South West State.
The district occupies an important position along transport routes linking Mogadishu with Baidoa, making security developments in the area significant for civilian movement and regional logistics.
The latest clashes come amid a broader political dispute over leadership and authority in South West State.
Rival political and security actors have been involved in tensions as competing sides seek influence over the administration and its institutions.
The situation remains fluid, and further independent verification is needed to establish who controls key locations in Buurhakaba, the condition of the district commissioner and the full extent of the casualties and damage.
