SOMALIA · SECURITY
Key Facts
- —What is happening Fighting broke out on Thursday, 15 October, in Buurhakaba, a town in Somalia’s Bay region, between federal and South West State forces and fighters loyal to former regional president Laftagareen, whose camp says it now holds the town.
- —Why it matters Buurhakaba sits on the main road between Baidoa and Mogadishu, and it would be the second district claimed by Laftagareen’s camp in about a week, widening a feud that runs alongside the war on al-Shabab.
- —The numbers Buurhakaba lies about 60 kilometres from Baidoa, against about 90 kilometres for Qansaxdheere, taken last week; Laftagareen and nine others were put on a federal sanctions list on 13 October, and no casualty figures are confirmed.
- —Who is who Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, known as Laftagareen, led South West State until federal forces took Baidoa in March; Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, known as Madoobe, now leads the federally backed regional administration.
- —What to watch Whether federal and South West forces move to retake Buurhakaba, whether fighting reaches Baidoa again, and whether either side confirms who holds the town or publishes casualty figures.
- —What it means for you Washington has listed al-Shabab as a terrorist organization since 2008 and tells Americans not to travel to Somalia, so a widening conflict inside the country bears on US security policy, aid work and Somali American families.
Fighters loyal to the former leader of Somalia’s South West State say they have taken Buurhakaba, on the Baidoa road. Neither the federal government nor the regional administration had confirmed the town’s capture on Thursday.
Fighting broke out in Buurhakaba, a town in Somalia’s Bay region, on Thursday, 15 October, Somali news outlets reported. Fighters loyal to former South West State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, known as Laftagareen, clashed with federal and regional government forces.
Laftagareen’s camp says its forces now control the town, which lies on the main road between Baidoa and the capital, Mogadishu. For the United States and its partners, it widens an internal conflict while Somali forces still fight al-Shabab.
What Happened in Buurhakaba
Caasimada Online, a Mogadishu-based news site, said the fighting began when Laftagareen’s forces attacked a military position in the district. Hiiraan Online, citing residents, said the attackers targeted federal troops and forces of the current South West administration.
Both outlets reported exchanges of gunfire, and Hiiraan said fighters loyal to Laftagareen entered neighbourhoods inside the town. Kaab TV and Horseed Media, two other Somali outlets, also reported that his forces had entered Buurhakaba.
Ugaas Hassan Abdi Mohamed, Laftagareen’s spokesman, said his side’s forces had entered the town and begun a security operation. He urged residents to stay in their homes, Caasimada and Kaab TV reported.
Who Controls Buurhakaba
In a video on social media, the spokesman said he was speaking from central Buurhakaba and the forces would stay. Hiiraan Online, which reported the video, said his claim could not be independently verified.
Horseed Media and Shabelle Media reported that Laftagareen’s forces had taken control of the town. Horseed cited former ministers of his administration, who told reporters in the town centre that their forces held the whole district.
Neither the federal government nor the South West administration had confirmed the town’s capture on Thursday, Goobjoog News and Shabelle reported. Hiiraan said it was not possible to independently determine which side controlled Buurhakaba.
Goobjoog reported that a South West spokesperson announced operations, carried out jointly with the federal government, to restore security in Buurhakaba. The spokesperson said groups he accused of working with al-Shabab would not be accepted.
A Feud Over South West State
South West State is one of Somalia’s federal member states, a regional government whose interim capital is Baidoa. Laftagareen led it until federal forces took Baidoa in March, Hiiraan and Kaab TV reported.
The administration in Baidoa is now led by Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, known as Madoobe, with the backing of the federal government. Laftagareen’s supporters have since attacked Baidoa several times without taking it, Horseed and Caasimada reported.
Last week, his forces took Qansaxdheere, another Bay region district about 90 kilometres from Baidoa, Horseed and Caasimada reported. Caasimada called Buurhakaba the second district to fall to his camp within a week.
On Tuesday, 13 October, a national committee against money laundering and terrorist financing put Laftagareen and nine others on a sanctions list. It accused them of financing or supporting al-Shabab and ordered their assets frozen, Caasimada, Hiiraan and Dawan reported.
Laftagareen and his allies deny any links to al-Shabab, Hiiraan and Goobjoog reported. His spokesman, who is also on the list, called the sanctions an act of revenge, Caasimada reported.
The sanctions are explained in Somalia Sanctions 10 Over Al-Shabaab Links. Earlier clashes are covered in Somalia’s Baidoa Fighting Leaves 148 Wounded in Feud, and the wider picture in Somalia Explained.
Why Buurhakaba Matters
Buurhakaba lies about 60 kilometres from Baidoa, on the main road linking the regional capital with Mogadishu, Caasimada and Kaab TV reported. Hiiraan said control of the town is important for movement between Bay region and southern Somalia.
Hiiraan said the clash widens the armed struggle beyond Baidoa, where the rival sides have fought several times since March. It comes as Somali forces also battle al-Shabab across southern and central Somalia, the outlet noted.
What It Means for US Readers
The State Department designated al-Shabab, the al-Qaeda-linked insurgency, a foreign terrorist organization on 18 March 2008. The federal government accuses Laftagareen’s camp of links to the group, which he and his allies deny.
That turns a regional power struggle in Bay into a question for US counterterrorism policy, not only for Somali politics. Fighting among Somali forces also draws troops and attention away from the campaign against al-Shabab.
The State Department rates Somalia at Level 4, Do Not Travel, in an advisory issued on 21 May 2026. It lists terrorism, kidnapping and armed illegal roadblocks among the main risks.
Aid workers and Somali Americans with relatives in Bay region will watch whether the road to Mogadishu stays open. Any disruption would cut a corridor that links the regional capital with the national capital’s port and airport.
What Is Not Known
No official casualty figures have been released, and Caasimada, Kaab TV and Goobjoog all said losses were unconfirmed. Caasimada said it was also unclear where the federal and South West troops who held the town had gone.
Laftagareen’s forces showed prisoners they said were taken in the fighting, Caasimada reported, but no independent source has confirmed this. Kaab TV said reports that the district commissioner was wounded also remain unconfirmed.
Hiiraan’s Somali service said some residents began fleeing the fighting, but no displacement figures have been published. The outcome of the South West operations reported by Goobjoog is also unknown.
What Comes Next
The South West administration says joint operations with federal forces are under way to restore security in Buurhakaba, Goobjoog reported. Former ministers of Laftagareen’s administration told reporters they would keep fighting the government of Aden Madoobe, Horseed reported.
The next signs to watch are whether either side publishes casualty figures and whether fighting reaches Baidoa again. How Somalia’s international partners respond to the widening feud is also not yet clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Buurhakaba?
Buurhakaba is a town in Somalia’s Bay region, about 60 kilometres from Baidoa, the interim capital of South West State. It sits on the main road linking Baidoa with Mogadishu.
Who is Laftagareen?
Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, known as Laftagareen, is South West State’s former president, who left office after federal forces took Baidoa in March. His forces have since fought the federally backed administration now led by Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, known as Madoobe.
Who controls Buurhakaba now?
Laftagareen’s camp says its forces control the town, and several Somali outlets reported that they had taken it. The federal government and the South West administration had not confirmed the claim on Thursday.
Is Laftagareen linked to al-Shabab?
The federal government accuses him and some allies of links to al-Shabab and put him on a sanctions list on 13 October. He and his allies deny the allegations, and the evidence has not been published.
Why does this matter to Americans?
Washington has listed al-Shabab as a foreign terrorist organization since 2008, so a widening conflict inside Somalia bears on US security policy. The State Department also advises Americans not to travel to Somalia at all.
Sources: Hiiraan Online (15 October); Hiiraan Online, Somali service (15 October); Caasimada Online (15 October, morning); Caasimada Online (15 October, later); Horseed Media (15 October); Kaab TV (15 October); Kaab TV (15 October, later); Goobjoog News (15 October); Goobjoog News (15 October, second report); Shabelle Media (15 October); Horseed Media (9 October); Caasimada Online (13 October); Caasimada Online (13 October, reaction); Dawan (13 October);US Department of State, Foreign Terrorist Organizations; US Department of State, Somalia Travel Advisory (all accessed 15 October 2026).