Thursday, May 21, 2026- A commander of Darawish forces from Qansax Dheere district, along with troops under his command, has joined forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen on the outskirts of Baidoa, according to local sources. The development comes amid reports of growing defections and rising political tensions in the region.
According to local sources and security observers, the Darawish commander and his fighters were received on the outskirts of Baidoa by officials aligned with Laftagareen.
The newly arrived forces were reportedly welcomed by the South West State Security Minister and other senior officials loyal to the former regional president.
The integration of the commander and his troops is being viewed by observers as a visible sign of military consolidation around Laftagareen’s political network.
No official joint statement has been released by South West State authorities regarding the alignment at the time of publication.
Reports of Further Defections
In recent days, multiple soldiers have reportedly left bases in and around Baidoa and joined a group identifying itself as the “Free South West Forces.”
According to individuals linked to the group, the formation presents itself as defending regional autonomy and opposing what they describe as interference from Mogadishu.
The group has publicly stated its objective as “liberating Baidoa” and protecting the political independence of the South West administration.
These claims have not been independently verified by government authorities.
Security sources say the trend of defections has raised concern within official command structures in the region.
Political and Security Tensions
The developments point to what analysts describe as a widening political and security standoff in South West State.
According to political observers, competing claims of authority and shifting military allegiances are increasing uncertainty around the chain of command in parts of the region.
Residents in areas surrounding Baidoa have reported increased movement of armed personnel and growing tension along key routes leading into the city.
Some local residents expressed concern that continued troop realignments could increase the risk of armed confrontation if tensions escalate further.
Government and Local Response
South West State authorities have not issued a comprehensive public statement addressing the reported defections or the arrival of the Darawish commander and his forces.
Security officials in Baidoa have previously stated that maintaining unified command structures is essential for regional stability.
There has also been no immediate comment from the Federal Government of Somalia regarding the latest developments.
South West State has experienced recurring political tensions in recent years linked to leadership disputes, security arrangements, and federal regional relations.
Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State, has often been a focal point for political competition and security deployments involving both regional and federal forces.
Darawish forces operate under regional security structures and are typically involved in counterinsurgency and internal security operations.
The emergence of armed groups aligning under political labels has previously contributed to instability in parts of southern Somalia.
Security analysts expect further monitoring of troop movements around Baidoa in the coming days.
Authorities may seek to consolidate command structures or engage in political consultations to prevent further fragmentation.
It remains unclear whether additional units will join either side or whether mediation efforts will be initiated.
The reported realignment of armed forces highlights growing strains within South West State’s security architecture.
If confirmed, continued defections could weaken coordinated command structures and complicate ongoing security operations in the region.
The emergence of politically aligned armed formations raises concerns about parallel chains of command, which can increase the risk of miscalculation or localized clashes.
The situation in Baidoa is likely to remain closely watched as it has implications for both regional stability and the broader federal security framework in Somalia.
