Somalia’s federal government has begun mobilising troops in the Bakool region, with forces assembled in Hudur ahead of planned security operations against Al-Shabaab and according to local reports, armed groups aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
The mobilisation is being led by Somali National Army officers, with much of the reported activity involving the 6th Brigade of the 60th Division, which is based in Hudur, the regional capital of Bakool.
Local reports indicate that the troop preparations are part of a broader effort to strengthen security across the region and confront Al-Shabaab and other armed groups operating in the area.
However, authorities have not publicly detailed the scope of the planned operations or identified their initial targets.
The military activity comes amid escalating political tensions between the federal government and Laftagareen, a dispute that has increasingly affected the security situation in parts of South West State.
Tensions have intensified following reported movements by forces loyal to Laftagareen in parts of Bay region, where changes in control of strategically important areas have also been reported.
Bakool continues to face security challenges linked to Al-Shabaab’s presence and the activities of other armed groups. Regional authorities have previously stressed the need for military operations to improve security and regain control of areas held by the militant organisation.
Although the troop mobilisation in Hudur indicates preparations for possible operations, officials have not announced an exact start date, the locations where the first operations would take place or the number of troops expected to participate.
There has also been no independent confirmation that the assembled forces have begun fighting groups aligned with Laftagareen.
It therefore remains unclear whether the mobilisation is directed primarily at Al-Shabaab, other armed groups, or a combination of security objectives amid the wider political dispute.