The security situation in Baidoa deteriorated again overnight after residents reported hearing heavy explosions, believed to be mortar rounds, along with gunfire from several parts of the city.

The shelling comes just days after some of the fiercest fighting Baidoa has witnessed in recent months, clashes that left people dead and wounded and forced some residents to flee their homes. The latest incident has renewed fears that the city could once again slide into a wider conflict.

Reports from Baidoa indicate that several mortar rounds landed near the South West State Presidential Palace, where senior officials were reportedly present at the time.

One federal government minister, Adan Madobe, who was at the presidential compound earlier in the evening, said mortar rounds struck areas around the facility.

The explosions reportedly caused panic among officials and civilians inside the compound, with some seeking shelter amid fears of further attacks.

However, the exact number of mortar rounds fired, their impact locations and any resulting casualties have not yet been independently verified.

In addition to the shelling, residents reported hearing gunfire from various neighborhoods across the city, further heightening tensions and uncertainty.

Many people remained indoors throughout the night, while normally busy streets were said to be largely deserted as fears of renewed fighting spread.

Traffic and commercial activity also declined significantly, with some businesses reportedly closing their doors due to security concerns. Public transport services were similarly affected as residents avoided unnecessary movement.

Some reports from the city claim that forces loyal to former South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen were involved in attacks and shelling targeting areas inside Baidoa.

Those reports have not been independently confirmed, and no official statement has yet been issued regarding responsibility for the overnight bombardment.

The latest violence is being linked to the long-running political and security dispute between the Federal Government and forces aligned with Laftagareen. The clashes that erupted on 17 August left significant casualties and further deepened tensions in the city.

For many residents, the sound of mortar fire overnight revived memories of the recent battles and reinforced fears that Baidoa could be heading toward another round of major fighting.

The possibility of renewed conflict remains the primary concern for civilians, who continue to bear the brunt of the city’s political and military instability.

As of this morning, Baidoa remains tense, with residents closely watching developments amid concerns that the shelling and gunfire could mark the beginning of a broader escalation in the already fragile security situation.

The security and political situation in Baidoa is reportedly deteriorating again, with South West leader Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe said to have asked the Federal Government to deploy additional troops to the city to strengthen security.

According to political and security sources, Adan Madobe has expressed concern over the security situation in Baidoa and the ability of existing forces to protect the city, particularly following recent heavy clashes between rival forces.

The fighting caused significant casualties, with reports indicating that large numbers of wounded personnel were taken to hospitals in both Baidoa and Mogadishu.

There has been no official response from Villa Somalia regarding the reported request for additional troops. At the same time, reports indicate that federal forces previously expected to deploy to Buurhakaba following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops have not yet arrived.

The security situation is further complicated by the presence and movements of forces associated with former South West leader Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.

Federal and local forces played a role in the operations that secured Baidoa, while forces loyal to Laftagareen are still believed to retain influence in the wider security landscape.

Another major concern is the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from parts of South West State, particularly Buurhakaba. Their departure has raised questions over who will fill the security vacuum left behind.

Some reports indicate that South West security forces previously withdrawn from Baidoa have been redeployed to Buurhakaba, highlighting the strategic importance of the district to the region’s security arrangements.

Buurhakaba is particularly important because of its proximity to Baidoa and its position along routes connecting major areas of South West State. Any security deterioration there could place additional pressure on Baidoa.

If the Federal Government approves Adan Madobe’s reported request and sends additional troops to Baidoa, the move could strengthen his administration’s security position.

However, it could also trigger a political backlash from forces aligned with Laftagareen, potentially deepening the existing confrontation.

On the other hand, failing to reinforce the city could leave Adan Madobe facing greater security pressure, particularly if rival forces attempt to launch further attacks or exploit gaps in the city’s defenses.

The dispute is ultimately part of a wider political struggle over the leadership and future direction of South West State.

The Federal Government has backed Adan Madobe’s leadership, while former South West leader Laftagareen and his supporters have strongly opposed the political changes taking place in the state.

With Baidoa already having experienced serious fighting, the decision over whether to deploy additional federal forces could become a major test of Mogadishu’s approach to security in South West State—and could either help stabilize the city or further intensify the political and military confrontation.

Heavy fighting erupted across parts of Baidoa on Monday, August 17, between forces aligned with the Federal Government of Somalia and troops loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.

The fighting was among the most serious clashes reported in Baidoa since March, when Federal Government forces took control of the city amid escalating political tensions between Mogadishu and the South West administration.

Reports from Baidoa this morning indicate that the situation is calmer than it was on Monday, with Federal Government forces claiming that they pushed back the troops who launched the attack.

The fighting began early Monday morning, August 17, with heavy gunfire and explosions reported in several parts of the city.

Residents said they heard explosions and heavy gunfire as people were preparing for the dawn prayer.

Reports also indicated that several homes and other buildings were damaged during the fighting, although the full extent of the destruction has yet to be independently established.

The latest clashes are linked to a long-running political dispute between the Federal Government and the leadership of South West State.

The dispute has involved disagreements over power-sharing, elections, constitutional changes and the relationship between the Federal Government and the country’s federal member states.

Tensions escalated sharply in March 2026 when Federal Government forces entered and took control of Baidoa.

Laftagareen later left office, but his departure did not resolve the wider political dispute or the tensions surrounding control of the city.

Baidoa has endured years of conflict, drought, displacement and humanitarian hardship, leaving large numbers of civilians particularly vulnerable to renewed violence.

The latest fighting is therefore a serious warning of the consequences when political disagreements are allowed to escalate into armed confrontation.

Continued clashes could further disrupt civilian life, humanitarian operations, transport and essential services in a city already facing significant challenges.

For Baidoa’s residents, the immediate priority remains the restoration of calm and the prevention of further fighting, while the broader political disagreements between Mogadishu and South West actors will require a negotiated solution rather than another military confrontation.