Somali army clashes with Laftagareen loyalists in Baidoa

Thousands of fighters loyal to ousted South West leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen entered Baidoa on September 28, 2026, sparking intense clashes with Somali federal forces. Witnesses reported fighter jets and drones overhead. Mogadishu sent troops to oust Laftagareen in March, and control of the southwestern city remains disputed.