Lafta-gareen issues heavy statement after his forces captured districts

Baydhaba (Caasimada Online) – The office of Abdikadir Hassan Mohamed (Lafta-gareen) today issued a press release discussing the successes his militia has achieved in the Bay region, after they recently took control of several districts previously managed by the federal government forces and the South West administration.

The press release dated October 16, 2026, stated that the militia loyal to Lafta-gareen conducted operations in the Bay region this week, which his office described as aimed at ensuring security and restoring stability in the areas.

“The South West Somalia Government's Darwish forces have succeeded in retaking and liberating four districts and important areas in the Bay region,” the press release stated.

Lafta-gareen's office, which still claims the presidency of South West, identified these districts as Qansaxdheere, Buurhakaba, Bardaale, and Diinsoor, also mentioning the area of Awdiile.

The statement directly accused the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, of leading the forces that Lafta-gareen's troops are fighting against in the Bay region, referring to them as Salbalaar and Afbalaar in the press release.

“During the operations, the armed group Salbalaar and Afbalaar led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was targeted,” the statement from Lafta-gareen's office said.

These accusations come at a time when the political conflict and clashes between Lafta-gareen's forces and those supporting the current administration in Baydhaba, which is backed by the federal government, are intensifying.

On the other hand, Lafta-gareen's office has praised the citizens living in the areas his forces have taken over, stating that they have shown resilience and support during the operations.

The press release also highlighted the rights of the people and their ability to determine issues concerning their future and the administration of their regions.

“The honorable people of the South West State of Somalia have the right to freely participate in the crucial decisions regarding their future, governance, and the administration of their regions,” the statement said.

This statement comes at a time when significant changes are occurring in the Bay region, where Lafta-gareen's allied forces have been consistently taking over important towns in recent days.

As previously reported by Caasimada Online, Lafta-gareen's forces peacefully took over the district of Bardaale today, which has become the third town they have seized from the South West administration, following Buurhakaba and Qansaxdheere.

Reports indicate that Lafta-gareen has changed the method by which he is capturing towns, now using lower-level negotiations and economic incentives to gain the support of the forces in the regions, which allows for the takeover of some towns without conflict.

On the other hand, the administration led by Aadan Maxamed Nuur (Sheekh Aadan Madoobe) is facing increasing military pressure, as the Lafta-gareen forces are approaching the areas near Baydhaba, which is the capital of the South West administration.

Lafta-gareen, who previously resigned from the presidency following political and military changes in Baydhaba, later reversed that decision, still claiming leadership of South West.