2026-09-28 317ca2507195b9fda26a80df6ad104e01a7958c7 /feed/2026/09/28/heavy-fighting-is-breaking-out-across-south-west-state-of-somalia-as-forces-loyal-to-former-president-abdiaziz-laftagar Heavy fighting is breaking out across South West State of Somalia, as forces loyal to former president Abdiaziz Laftagareen are launching a major armed assault on troops of Aden Madobe and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The assault is starting with gunfire, explosive drones and a suicide vehicle bomb and is spreading through the regional capital, Baidoa. 1790590222 2026-09-28 85207983d9c58d867da9117c150e3d28efb26b28 3 Abdiaziz Laftagareen 37 /wiki/abdiaziz%20laftagareen Aden Madobe 71 /wiki/aden%20madobe Baidoa 172 /wiki/baidoa Hassan Sheikh Mohamud 116 /wiki/hassan%20sheikh%20mohamud Somali Civil War 1 /wiki/somali%20civil%20war South West State of Somalia 2 /wiki/south%20west%20state%20of%20somalia former president 14 /wiki/list%20of%20leaders%20of%20south%20west%20state%20of%20somalia Abdiaziz Laftagareen Aden Madobe Baidoa Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Somali Civil War South West State of Somalia former president Somali Civil War 2026-08-17 6b9f708cb46226d209ef93ae97e9266e357e7480 /feed/2026/08/17/several-fighters-from-both-sides-are-killed-after-federal-armed-troops-and-opposition-groups-clash-in-south-west-state-o Several fighters from both sides are killed after federal armed troops and opposition groups clash in South West State of Somalia. Two civilians are also killed. Militias loyal to former Southwest President Abdiaziz Laftagareen enter regional's capital city Baidoa, challenging two battalions of Somali National Army loyal to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The fighting is intensifying as federal forces are using heavy weapons. 1786975185 2026-08-17 20621a7f50dc887a603c057f9d0a42cde85c5181 /feed/2026/08/17/several-fighters-from-both-sides-are-killed-after-federal-armed-and-troops-opposition-groups-clash-in-south-west-state-o Several fighters from both sides are killed after federal armed and troops opposition groups clash in South West State of Somalia. Two civilians are also killed. Militias loyal to former Southwest President Abdiaziz Laftagareen enter regional's capital city Baidoa, challenging two battalions of Somali National Army loyal to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The fighting is intensifying as federal forces are using heavy weapons. 1786967985 2026-08-17 00dd30e6c9e6a63ad97de5a5dfe31c119ad8b5ba 10 Abdiaziz Laftagareen Baidoa Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Somali Civil War South West State of Somalia former president 6 /feed/2026/08/17/several-fighters-from-both-sides-are-killed-after-somali-federal-forces-and-opposition-groups-clash-in-the-south-west-st Several fighters from both sides are killed after Somali federal forces and opposition groups clash in the South West State. Two civilians are also killed. Militias loyal to former state president Abdiaziz Laftagareen enter the regional capital Baidoa, challenging two battalions of the Somali National Army loyal to Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. 2026-05-30 412ec6a4ee4e06902bb38642dd61af5ba5a4327e /feed/2026/05/30/at-least-eight-people-are-killed-during-clashes-between-forces-loyal-to-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-and-ousted-south-west-stat At least eight people are killed during clashes between forces loyal to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and ousted South West State president Abdiaziz Laftagareen after they enter the regional capital Baidoa. 1780508444 2026-05-30 7afccbbfd7ac6a0443c4f320699b4fb5de95094d /feed/2026/05/30/at-least-eigh-people-are-killed-during-clashes-between-forces-loyal-to-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-and-ousted-south-west-state At least eigh people are killed during clashes between forces loyal to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and ousted South West State president Abdiaziz Laftagareen after they enter the regional capital Baidoa. 1780213177 2026-05-30 35a69275765f7cd82beb3449af5d0c77f7c3c981 /feed/2026/05/30/at-least-8-people-are-killed-as-heavy-fighting-erupts-between-forces-loyal-to-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-and-ousted-south-wes At least 8 people are killed as heavy fighting erupts between forces loyal to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and ousted South West State president Abdiaziz Laftagareen after they enter the regional capital Baidoa. 1780205977 2026-05-30 4e7c07cdcc6eb91ec8c5ee6c51e8d964f0e3f65c 14 Abdiaziz Laftagareen Baidoa Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Somali Civil War 4 /feed/2026/05/30/at-least-eight-people-are-killed-during-clashes-between-forces-loyal-to-disputed-somali-president-hassan-sheikh-mohamud At least eight people are killed during clashes between forces loyal to disputed Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and ousted South West State president Abdiaziz Laftagareen after they enter the regional capital Baidoa. 2026-05-21 4f8d4a1e98e1ab2d03887b7abf39c3d67c4e1f6d /feed/2026/05/21/casualties-reports-with-no-exact-number-after-heavy-fighting-has-broken-out-outskirts-of-regional-capital-baidoa-between Casualties reports with no exact number after heavy fighting has broken out outskirts of regional capital Baidoa between forces loyal to federal government and troops aligning with South West ousted president Abdiaziz Laftagareen. 1779543454 2026-05-21 99aae1a5ad54c4eedb5306200e7c00b296b90ec4 7 Abdiaziz Laftagareen Baidoa Somali Civil War 3 /feed/2026/05/21/casualties-are-reported-with-no-exact-number-after-heavy-fighting-breaks-out-on-the-outskirts-of-regional-capital-baidoa Casualties are reported with no exact number after heavy fighting breaks out on the outskirts of regional capital Baidoa between forces loyal to the federal government and troops aligned with South West State ousted president Abdiaziz Laftagareen. 2026-05-14 d6deb4c04065d94dab02749698fef1a0d20b23e1 9 Baidoa Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Somali Civil War 3 /feed/2026/05/14/heavy-fighting-erupts-in-baidoa-between-somali-federal-government-forces-and-troops-loyal-to-former-south-west-state-pre Heavy fighting erupts in Baidoa between Somali federal government forces and troops loyal to former South West State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, following disputes over regional elections and the end of president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term tomorrow. Multiple sources confirm two senior Somali military officers from the 60th Division have been killed in a roadside ambush. 2026-03-30 92b174b2b2d31df1405030d25112044f0d7f3c73 21 Abdiaziz Laftagareen Baidoa Somali Civil War South West State of Somalia 4 /feed/2026/03/30/at-least-10-people-are-killed-25-others-are-injured-and-more-than-45000-displaced-after-somalia-s-national-army-took At least 10 people are killed, 25 others are injured and more than 45,000 displaced after Somalia's national army ​took control of Baidoa, the capital city of the South West state, two weeks after the state president Abdiaziz Laftagareen said that his administration was severing ties with the federal government and opposed constitutional amendments backed by the Somali federal government. 2026-03-28 c81b6ba69dd1e10f1bb2bb02cefac43d2485f160 36 Abdiaziz Laftagareen South West State of Somalia 2 /feed/2026/03/28/the-south-west-house-of-representatives-re-elects-incumbent-president-abdiaziz-laftagareen-for-the-second-time-amid-tens The South West House of Representatives re-elects incumbent president Abdiaziz Laftagareen for the second time amid tensions with the Somali federal government that resulted in the military being deployed to the Lower Shabelle, Bay and Bakool regions of Somalia. 2025-03-12 150be102ce99ef8075aee5ad04b83e4bd4ff0e5e 4 Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Somali Civil War 2 /feed/2025/03/12/following-the-attack-over-100-somali-parliament-members-urge-president-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-to-resign-citing-leadersh Following the attack, over 100 Somali parliament members urge President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to resign, citing leadership failures amid worsening security and governance crises. 2025-03-8 d31a5ddfab6bc0738d07717a07b0b9dbf4368418 /feed/2025/03/8/al-shabaab-seizes-the-town-of-cadale-and-some-villages-including-bushra-sheekh-ceel-xarar-and-xaruur-being-at-about-70 Al Shabaab seizes the town of Cadale and some villages including Bushra Sheekh, Ceel Xarar and Xaruur, being at about 70 kilometers of Mogadishu. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asks Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for help. Ethiopia sends ten thousand ENDF troops near the Ethiopia–Somalia border. 1741533894 2025-03-8 b3e5db9aa48dcd769260a8c98e49000d380a428f 11 Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Somali Civil War 2 /feed/2025/03/8/al-shabaab-seizes-the-town-of-cadale-and-some-villages-including-bushra-sheekh-ceel-xarar-and-xaruur-around-70-km-of-m Al Shabaab seizes the town of Cadale and some villages including Bushra Sheekh, Ceel Xarar and Xaruur, around 70 km of Mogadishu. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asks Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for help. Ethiopia sends ten thousand ENDF troops near the Ethiopia–Somalia border. 2025-03-7 e3d01e6a40b4fbdd2ee77991ef22c1c7871e4e70 /feed/2025/03/7/al-shabaab-militant-carries-out-several-attacks-in-middle-shabelle-hiiraan-regions-of-hirshabelle-and-lower-shabelle-re Al Shabaab militant carries out several attacks in Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan regions of Hirshabelle and Lower Shabelle region from South West State of Somalia. the group has captured at least 15 settlements from Federal Government of Somalia forces since 20 February. The group's main offensive is to capture Mogadishu. 1741397217 2025-03-7 0f5019a894d4af56ea915c0c37ed8ba68feca056 /feed/2025/03/7/al-shabaab-militant-carried-out-several-attacks-in-middle-shabelle-hiiraan-regions-of-hirshabelle-and-lower-shabelle-re Al Shabaab militant carried out several attacks in Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan regions of Hirshabelle and Lower Shabelle region from South West State of Somalia. the group has captured at least 15 settlements from Federal Government of Somalia forces since 20 February. The main group main offensive was to capture Mogadishu. 1741368272 2025-03-7 48759291d66b31c09cd7210ca54212e3205bdccd 13 Somali Civil War South West State of Somalia 2 /feed/2025/03/7/al-shabaab-militants-carry-out-several-attacks-in-middle-shabelle-hiiraan-regions-of-hirshabelle-and-lower-shabelle-reg Al Shabaab militants carry out several attacks in Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan regions of Hirshabelle and Lower Shabelle region from South West State of Somalia. The group's main goal is to capture Mogadishu. 2025-01-31 5de372f4c11b54d402eb30b4d88349a97ef4f92e /feed/2025/01/31/somali-president-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-and-his-prime-minister-hamza-abdi-barre-rush-to-an-undisclosed-location-after-sec Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre rush to an undisclosed location after security guards shoot down one of two drones hovering over Villa Somalia. The drones were believed to be used by militant groups ISIS and Al-Shabaab. This incident comes after previous warnings from Somali Civil Aviation Authority about the risks posed by drones, especially in sensitive areas of Mogadishu. Security forces have long been on alert for possible drone attacks by militant groups. 1738422974 2025-01-31 f31ca5709c90218dffce2ae26f1f6dbe5ee6cfeb /feed/2025/01/31/somali-president-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-and-his-prime-minister-hamza-abdi-barre-rush-into-undisclosed-basement-after-secu Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre rush into undisclosed basement After security guards opened fire on two unmanned suicide drones hovering over Villa Somalia, shooting down one of two drones believed to be being used by militant groups ISIS and Al-Shabaab. This incident comes after previous warnings from Somali Civil Aviation Authority about the risks posed by drones, especially in sensitive areas of Mogadishu. Security forces have long been on alert for possible drone attacks by militant groups. 1738415765 2025-01-31 9d69fa9e5bdf1da2fbf8b0a5fab68ea40374bc20 12 Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Somali Civil War 2 /feed/2025/01/31/somali-president-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-and-prime-minister-hamza-abdi-barre-escape-after-security-guards-shoot-down-one-o Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre escape after security guards shoot down one of two drones hovering over Villa Somalia in Mogadishu, Somalia. The drones are believed to be used by ISIL and Al-Shabaab. This comes after previous Somali Civil Aviation Authority warnings. /feed/2026/09/28/heavy-fighting-breaks-out-across-the-south-west-state-of-somalia-as-forces-loyal-to-former-president-abdiaziz-laftagare Garowe Online 28 9455d093001f08c65820a2d8e15ac6fa132d4753 9 https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/heavy-fighting-erupts-in-somalia-s-baidoa-as-rival-south-west-forces-clash 2026 Horseed Media 28 6fe623d1eb54068c437096245949d9e844a55ec5 9 https://horseedmedia.net/somalia-heavy-fighting-reported-in-baidoa-as-rival-sides-claim-gains/425975/ 2026 Horseed Media 28 0288394c4417c809cffd859380f067b4d979d6d9 9 https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2026/Sep/206379/fighting_erupts_in_baidoa_town_after_laftagareen_forces_attack_federal_positions.aspx 2026 Heavy fighting breaks out across the South West State of Somalia, as forces loyal to former president Abdiaziz Laftagareen launch a major armed assault on troops of Aden Madobe and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The assault starts with gunfire, explosive drones and a suicide vehicle bomb and spreads through the regional capital, Baidoa.