Friday , June 12, 2026 (Baidoa Online) -The Commander of Baidoa Airport, Lieutenant Colonel Musdhaf Mohamed Qoomaal, has officially defected to forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen,” according to statements made by the officer in a video recorded on the outskirts of Baidoa.
Lieutenant Colonel Qoomaal, accompanied by troops under his command, announced his decision to join the Laftagareen-aligned forces amid escalating political and security tensions in South West State.
In the video, Qoomaal launched a sharp criticism of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of attempting to bring instability to South West State.
“Hassan Sheikh has brought to us the problems he did not create in his own regions. We will not allow him to stay in South West State. We will liberate it from them,” Qoomaal said.
He further declared:
“This is our land. If he wants problems, let him create those problems in his own regions, not in South West.”
The defection marks a significant development in the ongoing political standoff in South West State, where rival factions continue to compete for influence and legitimacy.
One administration currently operates from Baidoa with the backing of the Federal Government of Somalia, while another faction loyal to Laftagareen remains positioned on the outskirts of the city following previous confrontations and a prolonged political dispute.
The latest move by the airport commander comes amid reports of shifting loyalties among security personnel in the region, raising concerns over the potential impact on stability and security in and around Baidoa.
