Heavy fighting erupts in Baidoa after forces loyal to Laftagaren attack Somali army positions

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Heavy fighting erupted late Wednesday night in Baidoa, the capital of Somalia’s Southwest state, after forces loyal to ousted former Southwest President Abdiazis Laftagaren attacked positions held by the Somali National Army, igniting hours of intense combat across parts of the city. According to the reported details, Laftagaren’s forces launched the assault […]

Jul 16, 2026 - 13:58

Heavy fighting erupts in Baidoa after forces loyal to Laftagaren attack Somali army positions

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Heavy fighting erupted late Wednesday night in Baidoa, the capital of Somalia’s Southwest state, after forces loyal to ousted former Southwest President Abdiazis Laftagaren attacked positions held by the Somali National Army, igniting hours of intense combat across parts of the city.

According to the reported details, Laftagaren’s forces launched the assault from the northern outskirts of Baidoa, targeting military bases occupied by the Turkish-trained Gorgor Special Forces and military police. The attack triggered prolonged exchanges of gunfire centered in the Horseed neighborhood.

The crack of gunfire and repeated explosions from heavy weapons echoed across Baidoa throughout the night as both sides exchanged fire, awakening residents and spreading panic across a city that has increasingly become an active frontline in recent months. Baidoa is now facing persistent security pressure, with both Al-Shabaab insurgents and forces allied to Laftagaren positioned around different directions of the town and regularly launching attacks against security forces inside the city.

Shabelle TV reported that the clashes caused casualties among the targeted security forces as well as civilians. Some of the wounded were rushed to hospitals in Baidoa for treatment.

The Southwest administration led by Adan Mohamed Nur, whom critics allege assumed regional power through an election marred by manipulation and rigging, has not yet commented on the attack, the reported casualties, or whether it intends to introduce additional security measures to stabilize Baidoa and the wider Southwest state.

The latest assault is part of a series of attacks carried out by forces loyal to Laftagaren since he was ousted in late March during a federal military offensive. His fighters have repeatedly launched overnight assaults on Baidoa, including one operation in which they briefly seized parts of the city.

Weeks after his removal from office, Laftagaren said in an interview that his forces would continue fighting until federal troops were forced out of the region entirely and until his movement regained full control of Southwest state.