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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On 27 February, authorities in Somalia’s Southwest State ordered three local media stations—Arlaadi Media, Voice of Baay and Bakool, and Radio Warsan—to halt their planned Ramadan radio contest, which was scheduled to start on Saturday, 1 March. The official who issued the directive was Isak Hassan Mohamed, who was then the chairman of the youth committee for the Baidoa district administration but has since been promoted to a member of the Southwest State Assembly, during an appointment on 27 February.

The three media representatives told SJS that no reason was provided for the order, except that the district official complained that the “Ramadan contest was organized without his knowledge.” Mr. Isak did not respond to SJS when contacted for clarification. However, SJS was informed by officials at the Southwest State media that a separate Ramadan radio contest had been organized by the state media.

Sources SJS spoke to suggested that the independent media contest might have attracted a larger audience, which concerned the authorities, as it could lead to a decline in state media listenership.

The issue was later resolved, and the three media houses informed SJS that they have since begun the contest without further restrictions on Saturday 1 March.

Meanwhile, the Southwest State is reportedly preparing for its upcoming elections, though no date has been set. On 27 February, the regional assembly re-elected Dr. Ali Said Faqi as its Speaker of Parliament, while 11 members of the regional assembly were replaced. Independent media coverage was blocked during these activities, with only state-owned media being allowed to report.

On 25 February, Somaliland’s Togdheer Governor, Mohamud Ali Saleban (Ramaax), ordered the detention of three local journalists in Burao: Said Ali Osman (Said Xaaleys) of Sky Cable TV, Ayanle Ige Duale of Sahan TV, and Abdiasis Saleban Sulub of KF Media. Said Ali Osman was detained after interviewing Governor Ramaax on the same day and asking about his relationship with local clan militias in the region. During the interview, the governor was seen walking away from the camera in protest of the question, which he did not answer.

The clan militia groups, known locally as SSB and G36, which were involved in recent conflicts in the Sanaag and Sool regions, were reportedly integrated into the Somaliland army following an announcement by President Abdirahman Irro.

Ayanle Ige Duale and Abdiasis Saleban Sulub were detained after publishing reports on their respective Facebook accounts alleging that “the Togdheer regional administration and other officials had used bulldozers to destroy water reservoirs, claiming they were demolishing illegally occupied land”. The journalists further alleged that, “while rural areas of the Togdheer region were suffering from severe drought and widespread water shortages, the authorities responsible for water provision were instead destroying the very sources that the thirsty population relied on”.

According to the detained journalists and others who spoke to SJS, the three journalists were released after spending 24 hours in Burao police cells. They were not charged.

On 12 February, Somaliland’s Ministry of Information, Culture, and National Guidance ordered the closure of the privately-owned Universal TV in Somaliland following a news report on 11 February about Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he attended the World Governments Summit in Dubai reiterating Somaliland’s ambition for international recognition.

In the Universal TV report reviewed by SJS, the journalist raised the issue of Somaliland’s unrecognized status and suggested that President Irro’s invitation to the UAE could be interpreted as a “breach of Somalia’s territorial integrity.”

The ministry’s directive signed by Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Ahmed-Yaasin Sheikh Ali Ayanle, which SJS had seen had accused Universal TV of “violating the agreement the television management had entered with Somaliland” and that they had breached “Somaliland’s nationhood.”  As a result, the ministry ordered all cable networks to remove Universal TV from their listings, banned the use of its logo, and instructed local advertisers to terminate all advertising agreements with the station.

Universal TV representatives told SJS that the station remains closed in Somaliland as of 4 March, and that their journalists are unable to work from within Somaliland.

The ban on Universal TV appears to be a punitive measure against its editorial stance, as Somaliland authorities have shown a clear lack of tolerance for critical media coverage. On 6 January, 2024, Somaliland security forces raided the offices of MM TV in Hargeisa during a live broadcast discussing the Somaliland-Ethiopia Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The raid involved the use of physical violence against journalists and staff, resulting in the detention of MM TV founder Mohamed Abdi Ilig, reporter Mohamed Abdi Abdullahi (Andar), and cameraman Ilyas Abdinasir.

“SJS calls on Somaliland authorities to allow Universal TV to resume operations and stop punishing independent media, such as Universal TV and others for their editorial choices. We also urge Somaliland to stop detaining journalists simply for asking critical questions to officials,” said SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin.

“We also call on Southwest State to create space for independent media ahead of its reportedly planned elections. Authorities in Baidoa must recognize the crucial role independent media plays in fostering transparency and accountability within society,” Mr. Mumin adds.

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Liban Aw-Khalif, Director of Water Management at the ministry, told Kaab TV that some residents in the hardest-hit areas have begun to flee their homes due to the crisis.

“Burhakaba is among the worst-affected areas, where a single barrel of water [200 litres] now costs over $7—an amount beyond the reach of many families,” he said.

Somalia is still grappling with the aftermath of the devastating 2020–2023 drought and the severe floods of late 2023 and mid-2024.

However, experts warn that the country may be heading toward yet another prolonged dry spell.

A January report by UN humanitarian agencies underscored how repeated climate shocks—coupled with decades of conflict, poverty, and governance challenges—have weakened coping mechanisms, heightened dependence on aid, and undermined resilience.

Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall driven by climate change are expected to exacerbate water scarcity, reduce agricultural productivity, and increase the frequency of extreme weather events by 2030.

According to Aw-Khalif, out of 70 water wells monitored by the ministry across South West State, many are drying up.

“In some areas, there are no wells at all. Among the 70 wells currently under our system, reports indicate that water levels are dropping, and people are losing hope,” he said.

In border towns such as Aato and Yeed, residents are crossing into Ethiopia in search of water, where high prices for water transported by trucks add to their burden.

Authorities warn that if the drought persists without urgent intervention, the crisis could escalate into a full-scale humanitarian emergency. Displacement is already rising as families struggle to secure water, while livestock losses and agricultural failures mount.

Compounding the crisis, insecurity remains a significant challenge in many parts of South West State, where Al-Shabaab militants continue to pose a threat, and ongoing clan conflicts further add to the suffering of local communities.

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However, recurrent droughts caused by climate change and the subsequent seizure of Al-Shabaab by the rural villages forced Sahro and her children to flee to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Baidoa, the interim capital of South West State.

Today, this camp is their home.

Climate change, which has devastated farmlands and led to massive livestock losses, has hit rural families hardest—especially women with children.

These challenges have plunged many into extreme poverty and hardship.

As the sole provider for her family, Sahro has taken on unconventional work for women in Somalia, such as construction labor, to make ends meet.

“When people arrive at IDP camps, they face a harsh reality,” Sahro says. “There’s no consistent aid, and most of us have to find daily jobs in the city just to feed our families.”

Each morning, Sahro heads to a construction site, where she carries heavy stones and cement.

Her hard day’s labor earns her a small wage of upto three dollars, which she uses to buy food for her children. In the evening, she returns to her makeshift shelter in the camp, where her children wait eagerly for her to prepare a meal from her earnings.

A Nation in Crisis

According to the United Nations, nearly four million people are internally displaced in Somalia as of 2024, driven by conflict, insecurity, drought, and floods.

Regions like Baay, Bakool, and the Shabelle River valleys—once the breadbasket of Somalia—now face widespread hunger due to environmental degradation.

For families like Sahro’s, displacement is not just a temporary hardship but an ongoing struggle to survive in camps that lack basic services such as healthcare and education.

The temporary nature of these camps exposes women and children to heightened risks, and the hope of returning home remains dim as conflicts continue and climate change worsens.

Sahro reflects on her life before displacement, unaware at the time of the environmental toll caused by charcoal production—a practice that contributed to the deforestation and environmental degradation now devastating her community.

The destruction of her environment led to the death of her livestock, forcing her and her children into displacement.

For Sahro and countless others, survival now depends on adapting to urban livelihoods while clinging to the hope of one day returning to their ancestral lands—a hope that grows fainter with each passing day.

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Reporting by Nurto Mohamed in Baidoa. This report is part of climate change coverage in Somalia by local journalists participating in a training program provided by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) with support from Medico International.

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The group, led by Yusuf Mohamed, is associated with former Al-Shabaab deputy commander Mukhtar Robow Ali, who now serves as Somalia’s Minister of Religious Affairs.

Taking matters into their own hands, the determined “Dulmi Diid” fighters have initiated patrols in the rural areas surrounding Baidoa, the seat of Somalia’s Southwest State.

According to their commander, the militiamen’s primary objective is to push back against Al-Shabaab’s reign of terror and put an end to the brutal oppression inflicted upon the people of Baidoa.

Al-Shabaab’s recent blockade on Baidoa has caused immense suffering for its residents, leading to soaring food prices and scarcity of essential commodities like fuel.

In response to this suffering, the “Dulmi Diid” militia has risen with a resolute spirit, calling for both the regional authorities and the Federal Government forces to unite in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

It is crucial to note that “Dulmi Diid” is not affiliated with the government forces or the South West administration. While the group consists mainly of ethnic Rahanweyn, they are distinct from the Ma’awisley militia fighters, who have been engaged in clashes with Al-Shabaab in Hiiraan and Galgaduud regions.

They assert their independence, yet they appeal to the federal government and the Southwest State forces to join forces against the common enemy.

Sporting head turbans —similar to their rivals Al-Shabaab— and military camouflage, some members of the armed group conceal their faces as they diligently patrol the areas surrounding Baidoa, relentlessly pursuing Al-Shabaab elements.

Despite reaching out to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud without response, Yusuf Mohamed’s message to the defense minister, Abdukadir Jama, is loud and clear – “Come and support us in Southwest State.”

The “Dulmi Diid” militia also calls upon international partners to collectively combat the menace of Al-Shabaab.

“We tell the world that it Dulmi Diid is committed to continue its operations until we eliminate Al-Shabaab from this country. We call the world to support us and join in these efforts,” he added.

Al-Shabaab remains a potent threat to the government and communities throughout Somalia, staging frequent attacks, blockades, and targeted assassinations. Controlling vast territories, including rural villages and critical roads leading to Baidoa, the extremist group has exploited the gradual withdrawal of the African Union Mission (ATMIS) forces.

Just las week, President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen of Southwest State has explicitly acknowledged the grave danger posed by Al-Shabaab. He calls on the public and authorities to unite and prepare for the collective fight against the terrorist organization, with the ultimate aim of liberating the region from its grip.

“Al-Shabaab, specially those who hail from Rahanweyn has become a cruel group,” Laftagareen told his cabinet on Thursday.

As the “Dulmi Diid” militia embarks on its mission to confront Al-Shabaab, the eyes of the Somalis remain fixed on Southwest State, recognizing the urgency of collective action to address this persisting threat and restore peace and stability to the region.

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In a meeting convened by the members of the security committee on Saturday, decisions were made to address the plight faced by businessmen and the public, with an announcement that an operation will soon be launched to break the siege imposed by Al-Shabaab and reopen the blocked roads.

The ongoing sanctions, which have been in effect for several weeks, have severely hindered the transportation of food and essential items into Baidoa.

Al-Shabaab’s ban on goods reaching the city has resulted in a scarcity of vital supplies, burdening the local residents. Consequently, the prices of various commodities such as food, gas, and cooking oil have skyrocketed, exacerbating the challenges faced by the community.

Residents said the cost of essential food items, medicine, and fuel has more than doubled as a result of the ongoing besiege. People living in Baidoa lament that goods that were once sold for one dollar are now being sold for three dollars.

Isaaq Mohamed Ali, the Deputy Commissioner of the Baidoa District Administration, has sternly warned traders against further price increases on essential food items. He emphasized that starting from today, July 15, 2023, any additional price hikes will not be tolerated, as they directly impact the lives of the people.

“Every day, traders are raising the prices of food. We are issuing a warning starting today, July 15, that this practice is unacceptable,” declared the Baidoa District Deputy Governor.

Mohamed Isaaq Abdi, the Southwest Security Minister, confirmed that the road between Mogadishu and Baidoa remains open; however, Al-Shabaab has warned truck drivers with stern action to obstruct the transportation of goods from Mogadishu.

Attended by army officers, ministers, and officials at the district level, the meeting of Southwest State officials yielded a united front against Al-Shabaab’s sanctions.

The regional authorities announced their intention to launch an operation aimed at opening the blocked roads, thereby restoring the flow of essential goods to Baidoa.

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