Baidoa: Breaking


September 28, 2026
BAIDOA — Heavy fighting and powerful explosions rocked Baidoa on Monday as rival forces battled across parts of the South West State capital, forcing residents indoors and sharply worsening an already volatile security situation.
Forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen clashed with forces supporting the current South West administration and the Federal Government. Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported across several neighborhoods.
The Federal Government and federal-backed South West authorities allege that Al-Shabaab fighters are participating alongside Laftagareen-aligned forces. The allegation has not been independently verified, and Laftagareen has repeatedly denied any alliance or cooperation with Al-Shabaab.
Both sides are claiming battlefield gains. Territorial control, casualty figures, reported drone strikes and competing claims about the identity of combatants remain subject to independent verification.
This is a developing story. WAPMEN/WDM will update the public as independently verifiable information emerges.

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