South West State has accused Türkiye of directly intervening in the ongoing conflict in Baidoa, alleging that Turkish F-16 fighter jets carried out air operations in support of forces aligned with the Federal Government of Somalia during clashes on September 3.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the South West State Ministry of Information, the administration condemned what it described as an “unacceptable military intervention” by Ankara in an internal Somali political conflict.
The statement claimed Turkish warplanes entered the conflict zone between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and targeted forces loyal to South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen.”
According to the administration, the targeted forces were attempting to restore what it called the legitimate authority of South West State in Baidoa, which it said had recently come under the control of an administration backed by the Federal Government.
South West State alleged that Türkiye’s deployment of combat aircraft marked a departure from its long-standing role as a strategic partner and counterterrorism ally of Somalia.
The administration argued that the operation was not directed against Al-Shabaab or any other militant group, but instead against Somali political forces involved in a domestic dispute.
“The forces targeted were neither Al-Shabaab nor any terrorist organization,” the statement said. “Türkiye abandoned the neutrality expected of an international partner and became a direct participant in the conflict.”
The administration further argued that Turkish military cooperation in Somalia was originally intended to strengthen the country’s security institutions and support the fight against terrorism, not to influence internal political outcomes.
Demands for Explanation
South West State called on the Turkish government to immediately cease all military operations related to the conflict in South West State and demanded a public explanation regarding the reported deployment of F-16 fighter jets in Baidoa.
The administration also requested that Ankara disclose the political and military authorities who authorized the operation and provide the legal basis for the use of Turkish combat aircraft in what it described as an internal Somali political conflict.
In addition, South West State demanded guarantees that Turkish military assets would not be used again against Somali political actors or in future domestic political disputes.
Appeal to International Community
The statement urged the United Nations, African Union, European Union, United States, NATO, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international partners to condemn the alleged intervention and launch an independent investigation into the incident.
South West State said any investigation should determine who authorized the operation, the chain of command involved, the legal justification for the airstrikes and their consequences.
The administration also argued that foreign military involvement in domestic political disputes risks deepening divisions, undermining Somalia’s federal system and setting a dangerous precedent for future conflicts.
No Response Yet From Türkiye
As of publication, Türkiye had not publicly responded to the allegations, and there has been no independent verification that Turkish aircraft conducted airstrikes in Baidoa.
The Federal Government of Somalia has also not issued an official statement addressing the claims.
The accusations come amid escalating tensions and heavy fighting in Baidoa between forces loyal to President Laftagareen and troops aligned with the Federal Government and parliamentary leadership.
If confirmed, the allegations would mark one of the most serious disputes in recent years between South West State and Türkiye, a country that has been among Somalia’s closest security, military and development partners for more than a decade.
