Somalia Conflict Archives - Kaab TV

Somalia’s Southwest State Severs Ties with Mogadishu Over Alleged Arming of Al-Shabaab Militias

Kaab TV News Editor — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:45:49 +0000

BAYDHABO (Kaab TV) – The Southwest State administration of Somalia has today officially announced that the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is interfering in its affairs, accusing federal officials of arming militia groups, including individuals believed to be affiliated with the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, with government weapons and military uniforms.

Speaking at a press conference in Baidoa, the spokesperson for Southwest State, Ugaas Hassan Abdi, accused the federal government of equipping militia groups that they believe are linked to Al-Shabaab.

“After extensive engagement and dialogue with the Federal Government of Somalia at multiple levels, it has become clear to Southwest State that the federal government is carrying out a deliberate campaign aimed at undermining and destabilizing the state, as well as weakening the unity of its people,” said spokesperson Ugaas Hassan Abdi.

He further stated that large numbers of armed militias, equipped with government weapons and military uniforms, have been deployed into Southwest State territories, alleging that the federal government is behind these actions.

“When we observed the recent incidents involving the arming of unidentified militias, which appear to resemble a new Al-Shabaab presence being planted in Southwest State, and when we saw that Somali National Army weapons and uniforms were being used to equip groups that visually resemble Al-Shabaab, the Southwest State government made the decision to sever ties with the Federal Government of Somalia,” he added.

The federal authorities in Mogadishu did not comment on these allegations.

Tensions have been escalating in recent months between the federal government in Mogadishu and the Southwest State administration based in Baidoa.

The dispute is largely driven by disagreements over contested elections, with Southwest State seeking to conduct its elections independently.

Southwest State now becomes the third federal member state to sever ties with Mogadishu.

Previously, Puntland and Jubaland also cut ties with the federal government over disputes related to constitutional amendments and controversial elections, which they accused the federal authorities of using to extend their term in office.

Deadly clashes erupted in Baidoa in early February this year after militia groups—reportedly backed by politicians linked to the federal government—fought against Southwest State security forces.

The tensions have also led to the takeover of the towns of Buurhakaba and Qansax Dheere by militia groups opposed to the Southwest State administration.

Meanwhile, the President of Southwest State, Abdiasis Laftagareen, arrived in Baidoa this afternoon despite an air blockade imposed by the Federal Government of Somalia.

Earlier today, all passenger flights from Mogadishu to Baidoa were suspended.

The federal government had reportedly attempted to prevent President Laftagareen’s return.

He had been in Saudi Arabia over the past week performing Umrah. However, sources in Baidoa told Kaab TV that the president entered through a border town along the Somalia–Ethiopia border.

Even in Baidoa, his return was not pre-announced.

The post Somalia’s Southwest State Severs Ties with Mogadishu Over Alleged Arming of Al-Shabaab Militias appeared first on Kaab TV.

Flights Carrying Puntland and Jubaland Delegations Turned Back From Mogadishu

Staff Reporter — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:34:38 +0000

MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Two flights that were scheduled to bring advance delegations of officials from Puntland and Jubaland to Mogadishu today [Sunday 1 February] were turned back while still in the air, just as they were due to land at Mogadishu airport.

In separate press statements, the administrations of Puntland and Jubaland condemned the decision to turn back the flights that were en route to Mogadishu.

Puntland and Jubaland described today’s incident as “an act that endangered the security of the officials and accompanying officers aboard the two aircraft.”

Jubaland also stated that two additional flights carrying civilians from Kismayo were denied permission to land in Mogadishu and were forced to return to Kismayo.

Speaking about the incident, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni said that what happened today constitutes “a criminal act” that will be accounted for at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Ahmed Macalin Fiqi accused the leadership of Puntland and Jubaland of attempting to bring large quantities of weapons and an excessive number of troops to Mogadishu airport.

The two regional states rejected the accusation in official statements, saying that the passengers on the turned-back flights included standard presidential security details and staff from the Puntland and Jubaland presidential offices.

Members of the international community expressed concern over the incident, particularly the European Union Ambassador and the United Nations office, who called on Somali parties to urgently resolve the dispute over the arrival of the Puntland and Jubaland delegations and to create an environment conducive to holding the electoral consultation conference.

Today, 1 February, had been scheduled as the date for the Somalia 2026 electoral process conference, which was planned to take place in Mogadishu.

In recent weeks, technical committees from the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Salvation Council had been working on preparations for the conference and its agenda.

Today’s incident is widely seen as a new obstacle to the planned meeting, amid growing uncertainty over whether sufficient trust can be rebuilt for Somalia’s rival political actors to come together for dialogue.

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Displaced Somali Women Struggle to Survive Amid Conflict, Drought, and Aid Cuts

Sadia Suleiman — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:38:21 +0000

MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Jawaahir Ibrahim Iimaan, a mother of seven, fled her home in Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, two months ago after fierce clashes erupted between Al-Shabaab and Somali government forces.

The sound of heavy gunfire and shelling shattered her last hopes of staying. Carrying her children, she escaped under fire, seeking safety in a life still clouded by uncertainty.

“War, suffering, and explosions drove us out,” Jawaahir said, sitting at the doorway of her makeshift hut in an overcrowded camp for displaced people, the heat of the midday sun visible on her face.

After days on the road, she arrived at Barxad-weyn camp in Kaxda district, Mogadishu. But survival here comes with new challenges: no clean water, inadequate shelter, little food, and no access to healthcare.

“Sometimes food is cooked in the camp and shared in spoonfuls,” she said. The biggest struggle, however, is clean water. “Two jerrycans cost 3,000 shillings (USD 0.15). If you don’t have money, you don’t get water.”

Camp “gatekeepers,” who control settlements, are accused of charging rent for plots of land while also taking a share of aid meant for displaced families.

When Kaab TV visited, Faadumo Abdulkadir and other women were busy building a small hut to shelter her children.

Faadumo Abdulkadir, a widow with six children, fled Sabiid and Caanoole near Afgooye after Al-Shabaab retook the area last month. When Kaab TV visited, she and other women were busy building a small hut to shelter her children.

“I’ve been here four days. We fled war and hunger,” she said. “I have no money for my children’s education. We all sleep together in this tiny hut.”

War and Climate Fuel Displacement

Somalia continues to reel from a cycle of conflict, droughts, floods, and insecurity, driving hundreds of thousands from their homes. Aid agencies estimate that more than 3.3 million people are currently displaced inside the country.

Overcrowded camps lack safety, and women—especially those without male relatives—face frequent nighttime attacks by armed men.

Ca’isha Adam Mohamed, a mother of three—two of them orphans—escaped her village near Bariire, Middle Shabelle, during recent fighting between African Union and Somali troops against Al-Shabaab.

“Mortar shells landed on our village. I fled on foot with my children until we found a vehicle near Afgooye,” she said. Now living with her father, who pushes a cart in Mogadishu to feed the family, she describes nights when her children go to sleep crying from hunger.

Jawaahir Ibrahim Iimaan, a mother of seven, fled her home in Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle.

Aid Cuts Deepen Crisis

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) recently warned that sharp cuts in humanitarian funding have left more than 300,000 Somalis without food and clean water assistance, raising the risk of preventable diseases.

“Somalia is being pushed to the brink by the combined impact of relentless conflict, climate extremes, and a sharp drop in international support,” said Mohamed Abdi, NRC’s Country Director in Somalia.

“We are seeing the human cost of inaction every day, in the suffering of children too weak to walk, in the empty jerrycans, and in the avoidable deaths from waterborne diseases. This is a man-made disaster that can still be prevented.”

Earlier this year, the United Nations appealed for $1.42 billion to assist 4.6 million Somalis, but so far only 17% of that has been funded. As a result, aid groups have been forced to scale back, leaving millions of vulnerable families without support.

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