The fighting reportedly erupted after government forces attempted to disperse armed groups and opposition supporters gathered in parts of Baidoa amid escalating political tensions surrounding local administration and Somalia’s ongoing electoral disputes.

Witnesses said intense gunfire broke out shortly after dawn in several neighborhoods of the city, including areas near key roads and government facilities, causing panic among residents and forcing businesses to close temporarily.

Local residents reported seeing bodies lying on the streets following the clashes before they were later collected by relatives, local authorities, and emergency teams. Several other people were reportedly injured and taken to hospitals across Baidoa for treatment.

Although officials have not yet released an official casualty figure, local sources said both security personnel and armed opposition fighters were among those killed and wounded during the confrontation.

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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.

Various sources told the media that the situation has worsened in recent days after the limited water previously available in some areas disappeared from wells, forcing residents to abandon their homes.

Livestock in several areas are beginning to die in large numbers due to a combination of thirst and lack of pasture. Cattle have been reported as the most affected among the different types of livestock.

Large tracts of farmland that depend on the Jubba and Shabelle rivers have dried up. Warnings have been issued that the situation could deteriorate further if no rainfall occurs or if the rivers do not receive new water.

Hundreds of families were displaced from their homes across southern and northern Somalia in December 2025. These people fled drought-stricken and water-scarce areas in an effort to save their lives.

The post Drought Severely Affects Pastoralists and Farmers in South West State and Jubbaland appeared first on Kaab TV.

Speaking at a press conference in Baidoa on Sunday, South West Information Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal claimed that an armed faction is being secretly organized in Mogadishu with the intention of undermining the region’s peace and stability.

“Somalis are aware—and we are aware—of where the President of South West stands on issues of party politics and state-building in Somalia,” said Bilal, referring to President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen).

“We will not accept a group creating chaos in Mogadishu to be sent here to disrupt our administration.”

Bilal, who appeared to echo the views of President Laftagareen, emphasized that the South West administration would not tolerate any “covert armed groups” aiming to threaten its authority or endanger civilians.

He added that credible intelligence suggests plans are underway to transfer militia forces into South West territory, warning that any such attempt would be met with both legal and military consequences.

President Laftagareen recently returned to Baidoa after attending the latest National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu.

His return followed reports of a dispute with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who had reportedly urged Laftagareen to align with his newly rebranded political movement, the Justice and Solidarity Party (formerly known as the Union for Peace and Democracy).

Confusion remains around the rebranding and internal dynamics of the party.

A counter-response

Sources close to Laftagareen say he was frustrated that some of his political rivals had already joined the federal president’s camp.

His abrupt return to Baidoa appears to have triggered a counter-response from a group of Rahaweyn politicians now organizing against his leadership from Mogadishu.

Among the outspoken critics is Mohamed Abdi Hamid, who claims to lead the Democratic Party for Change, a Mogadishu-based opposition movement.

He dismissed the South West government’s allegations as an attempt to silence dissent.

“We call on the South West authorities to retract Sunday’s statement, which seeks to suppress legitimate political opposition to Laftagareen’s administration,” Hamid said.

The opposition group is reportedly linked to a former political figure from Baidoa who is now based in Mogadishu.

Minister Bilal urged the South West public to remain alert and to report any suspicious activities to security forces, warning that any threats to the administration’s stability will be dealt with firmly.

The post South West State, Mogadishu Opposition Trade Accusations Over Alleged Destabilization Plot appeared first on Kaab TV.

Military officials from South West State said the clash began at dawn when Al-Shabaab fighters launched a surprise attack on a military base in Baay Burjeed manned by regional troops.

The confrontation resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides.

In an official statement, the South West State government confirmed that its forces had repelled the attack and dealt a significant blow to Al-Shabaab.

The statement also noted that bodies believed to be those of Al-Shabaab fighters were brought to Baidoa after the fighting.

Officials also confirmed the loss of several South West State officers during the confrontation.

Following the attack, residents of Baidoa and regional security forces gathered in the city center to express their support and celebrate what they described as a military victory.

The assault reportedly began with explosions targeting the military outpost before an armed assault ensued.

Security forces said they repelled the attack, killing and wounding several of the attackers.

“The Council of Ministers praised the Armed Forces for defeating the surprise assault launched by the Khawarij Al-Shabaab on army and Darawish positions near Baidoa,” read a statement from the South West State presidency.

President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) later visited frontline troops in Baidoa to commend their efforts and encourage them to continue defending the region.

“We will hunt them down everywhere — in villages, towns, wherever they try to hide,” president Laftagareen declared.

Al-Shabaab, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the Somali government, the United Nations, and other international actors, has intensified its operations across southern and central Somalia in recent months.

The group has regained control over various areas in Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, and Lower Shabelle.

Despite ongoing military operations, Al-Shabaab maintains control over many rural areas and key roads in South West State, restricting civilian travel.

However, reports from towns such as Xudur, Diinsoor, and Waajid suggest that the group has recently begun allowing public vehicles to use certain routes leading to Baidoa.

It remains unclear whether this shift is part of a broader strategy by Al-Shabaab to expand its influence and territorial control in southern and central Somalia.

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