Somali government forces have repelled an early-morning attack on Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State, as political tensions between the federal government and regional forces continue to worsen. The fighting broke out on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
According to Somalia’s Defence Ministry, fighters loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, along with Al-Shabaab fighters, attacked government positions at about 4:15 a.m. The government said its forces fought back and pushed the attackers away. The claim that Al-Shabaab participated could not immediately be independently verified.
Heavy fighting forces residents to flee
Residents reported heavy gunfire and explosions in several parts of Baidoa, including Al-Faras, Boonkaay and Al-Axmaar. Some residents left their homes to escape the fighting, while government troops later patrolled parts of the city.
The violence also affected civilians. Bay Regional Hospital reported treating 71 wounded people, including 15 women, while one civilian was reported dead. Official military casualty figures had not been released at the time of reporting.
Political dispute behind the fighting
The latest violence is linked to a growing political dispute between Somalia’s federal government and supporters of Laftagareen over control of South West State.
Federal forces took control of Baidoa in March, after which Laftagareen resigned. A new South West State administration backed by the federal government was subsequently established, but Laftagareen and his supporters rejected the arrangement.
The dispute has become increasingly violent, with Baidoa experiencing another major confrontation in August. The city is particularly vulnerable because it hosts more than half a million people displaced by conflict and drought and serves as an important humanitarian centre.
Humanitarian concerns grow
Aid organisations are concerned that continued fighting could further worsen the humanitarian situation in Baidoa, where many displaced families already depend on humanitarian assistance.
The latest clashes have raised fears that Somalia’s political divisions could create additional security challenges while government forces are also fighting Al-Shabaab elsewhere in the country.
The situation remains tense, although fighting in Baidoa had stopped by early Thursday afternoon according to reports.
