BAIDOA, Somalia — may 22, 2026 — An armed raid was reported late on Friday at the residence of former Bay region Police Commander Aamin Mad-Daruur in Baidoa, according to local residents and security sources, in an incident that has heightened political tensions in the South West State capital.
Local sources said individuals believed to be affiliated with the Federal Government of Somalia entered the home located in the Cadaada neighborhood of Baidoa and confiscated an AK-47 rifle reportedly held by a household security guard. The motive behind the operation remains unclear, and no independent verification of the claims has been provided by authorities.
The incident has drawn attention due to Aamin Mad-Daruur’s previous role as a senior security official in the Bay region under the South West State administration. He is also described by some local sources as a close associate of South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Lafta Gareen,” although this relationship has not been officially confirmed in connection with the incident.
As of Saturday morning, neither the Federal Government of Somalia nor South West State authorities had issued an official statement explaining the reported operation or confirming the identity of the forces involved.
According to multiple local residents in Baidoa, armed personnel arrived at the residence in the evening hours and conducted what was described as a brief search before leaving with a firearm belonging to a private security guard at the home.
Security sources speaking on condition of anonymity said the individuals involved were “believed to be federal-linked forces,” though this claim has not been independently verified. Witnesses reported heightened movement in parts of the Cadaada neighborhood during and shortly after the incident.
Following the raid, relatives and supporters of the former police commander reportedly gathered in the area, expressing concern over the circumstances of the operation. However, the scale and nature of any mobilization could not be independently confirmed.
No reports of casualties or arrests have been confirmed by officials or independent observers.
There has been no official response from the Federal Government of Somalia regarding the allegations of involvement in the Baidoa operation.
South West State authorities have also not publicly commented on the reported raid or addressed questions regarding the presence or activity of armed personnel in the Cadaada neighborhood.
Security officials in Baidoa contacted by local media have not provided clarification, and the situation remains fluid as of the latest reporting.
Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State, has experienced intermittent political and security tensions in recent years, often linked to disputes between federal and regional authorities over security control and political alignment.
Former security officials and political figures in the region have occasionally been at the center of such tensions, particularly in periods of strained cooperation between Mogadishu and regional administrations.
Aamin Mad-Daruur previously served as Police Commander for the Bay region under the South West administration, a role that placed him in charge of local security operations during a period marked by both counterinsurgency activity and political contestation over security authority.
The South West State leadership under President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Lafta Gareen” has also been involved in broader political negotiations with federal authorities over governance arrangements and security coordination.
The reported raid, if confirmed, could add further strain to already sensitive relations between federal authorities and South West State leadership. Security operations involving politically connected figures often carry implications beyond immediate law enforcement concerns in Somalia’s federal system.
In Baidoa, where competing political and security interests frequently intersect, such incidents can quickly escalate into broader political disputes, particularly when official communication is limited or delayed.
For residents of the city, uncertainty around armed operations contributes to concerns over stability and transparency in security procedures, especially when no clear explanation is provided by authorities.
The absence of official statements from both federal and regional governments leaves key questions unanswered, increasing speculation and political tension as local actors await clarification on the nature and intent of the operation.