BAIDOA, Somalia — The Federal Government of Somalia and the South West State administration have begun mobilizing forces in preparation for an operation to retake several districts in Bay region currently controlled by forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
18 October, 2026
The planned operation reportedly targets the districts of Qansaxdheere, Bardaale, Buurhakaba, Awdiinle and Diinsoor, which have come under the control of forces loyal to Laftagareen.
The forces are reportedly being mobilized with the aim of bringing the districts back under the authority of the administration led by Speaker of Parliament Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe.
Former minister Hassan Hussein Hassan Eelay, speaking to the media, accused Laftagareen and his forces of joining the militant group Al-Shabaab. He further claimed that government-aligned forces would launch an offensive against areas currently controlled by Laftagareen’s forces, alleging that the areas had fallen into the hands of what he described as “anti-peace groups.”
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the statement represents the position of Hassan Eelay and those supporting the planned military operation.
The developments come amid political and security tensions in South West State, with competing authorities and armed forces seeking control over several strategically important districts in Bay region.
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