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| Africa Horn | |
| Somali government sends troops to Baidoa to protect Sheikh Aden Madobe | |
| 2026-08-24 | |
Text: #UPDATE: Somali Government Sends Troops to Baidoa to Protect Sheikh Aden Madobe Amid Growing Threat from Laftagareen Forces Somalia’s federal government deployed additional troops to Baidoa on Sunday amid growing tensions between forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen” and an administration led by federal parliament Speaker Sheikh Aden Madobe, according to local sources. The troops were reportedly flown into Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State, to reinforce security and protect Sheikh Aden Madobe and officials allied with his administration. The deployment follows reports that forces loyal to Laftagareen have increased their presence in several parts of Baidoa and surrounding areas. The military movements have heightened security concerns among federal officials and supporters of the Aden Madobe-led administration. More at the link South West State Minister calls on Kenya to arrest former president Laftagareen [HiraanOnline] South West State Security Minister Osman Isaaq Mohamed has called on the Kenyan government to arrest former South West State President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and facilitate his extradition to Somalia. Speaking about the recent violence in Baidoa on Thursday, the minister accused Laftagareen of being responsible for recent attacks and bombings in the city and said he should be held accountable. “We are requesting the Kenyan government to arrest Abdiasis Laftagareen and hand him over through Interpol to the Somali government so that he can be held accountable,” the minister said. The minister also accused forces loyal to Laftagareen of having links to Al-Shabaab, alleging that the militias had contributed to insecurity in Baidoa. He said fighters loyal to the former president would be treated under procedures similar to those applied to Al-Shabaab members who defect and surrender to the authorities. “In the past, we thought they were our brothers who had complaints, but now we have seen armed people who are linked to Al-Shabaab. If they surrender, the procedures for those who defect from Al-Shabaab will be followed,” he said. The allegations against Laftagareen and his forces could not be independently verified.
The latest developments follow days of escalating political and security tensions in Baidoa, where forces loyal to the former president recently clashed with government troops after attempting to enter and take control of parts of the city Related: Baidoa: 2026-08-22 Pirates hijacked two ships carrying 22 Indian citizens off the coast of Somalia Baidoa: 2026-08-20 Ethiopia’s withdrawal from Burhakaba tests Somalia’s security transition Baidoa: 2026-08-17 Burning the Turkish Flag: Anger Grows in SouthWest state of Somalia Over Airstrikes Related: Laftagareen 08/20/2026 Ethiopia’s withdrawal from Burhakaba tests Somalia’s security transition Laftagareen 07/07/2026 Somalia: Turkish fighter jets deployed to Baidoa amid reported security fears Laftagareen 06/01/2026 Somali Army Claims Seizure of Weapons, Military Vehicles After Clashes in Baidoa | |
| Posted by:badanov |