Laftagareen’s Forces Strike Again: Fierce Night Battle Reaches the Streets of Baidoa

Baidoa (WDN) — The conflict in South West State took a dramatic new turn as forces loyal to former South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) launched another bold assault on Baidoa, the region’s political capital, underscoring the resilience and growing reach of an insurgent-style campaign that continues to challenge the authority of the Federal Government and the administration currently controlling the state.

According to reports emerging from the city, intense fighting erupted late into the night as Laftagareen-aligned fighters mounted coordinated attacks on positions held by South West State security forces and units allied with the Federal Government of Somalia.

The battle was reportedly among the fiercest witnessed in recent months. Local sources indicated that elements of the attacking force succeeded in penetrating parts of Baidoa and engaged government troops in direct urban combat before withdrawing from the city later the same night. While the full extent of the operation remains unclear, the reported ability of Laftagareen’s forces to reach sections of the regional capital has sent shockwaves through political and security circles.

Independent verification remains difficult due to limited access to the battlefield and the absence of comprehensive reporting from neutral observers. As is often the case in Somalia’s conflicts, both sides have claimed success while providing few verifiable details regarding casualties or territorial gains.