BUURHAKABA, Somalia — October 27, 2026: Buurhakaba District Chairman Abdullahi Shaleetey has accused Turkish drones of carrying out three airstrikes in Buurhakaba on Tuesday, allegedly targeting residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure in Somalia’s South West State.
Speaking at a press conference in Buurhakaba, Shaleetey condemned the alleged strikes as acts of brutality and accused Turkey of conducting repeated military operations against areas under the control of South West State authorities.
Shaleetey claimed that Turkish drones had also struck a school in Buurhakaba the previous day, raising concerns about the safety of civilians and educational facilities.
He further accused Turkish forces of targeting a bridge that he described as the only direct connection between Buurhakaba and Mogadishu, warning that attacks on critical infrastructure could disrupt transportation and civilian movement.
The chairman alleged that Turkish drone strikes had become a daily occurrence and called on the international community to intervene.
“We are South West State. We do not know why Turkey is targeting us,” Shaleetey said, accusing Ankara of interfering in Somalia’s domestic political affairs.
He also alleged that Turkey was providing military support to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose presidential mandate he disputed, and accused Ankara of taking sides in the political confrontation between the federal government and South West State.
Shaleetey appealed directly to the United Nations, European Union and Arab League, urging them to investigate the alleged airstrikes and Turkey’s involvement in Somalia’s internal political disputes.
He rejected any characterization of South West State’s Darawish forces as Al-Shabaab militants, insisting that they were defending their communities and regional administration.
“South West Darawish forces are not Al-Shabaab. We are freedom fighters,” Shaleetey declared.
The allegations come amid political and security tensions between Somalia’s federal government and South West State authorities.
The allegations concerning Turkish drone strikes, attacks on residential areas, a school and a bridge have not been independently verified. The account provided does not include a response from Turkish officials or Somalia’s federal government.