BUURHAKABA,Oct,15,2026 Somalia — Heavy fighting has erupted in Buurhakaba, a strategically important town in Somalia’s South West State, where Darwish forces loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen are battling federal government troops backing Somali Parliament Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, according to residents and officials aligned with Laftagareen.

Residents reported intense exchanges of gunfire and explosions across several neighborhoods on Thursday morning, as rival forces engaged in clashes amid an escalating political and military struggle over control of the region.

The fighting has raised fears for civilian safety and renewed concerns about instability in South West State, where competing political factions have been struggling for influence following recent developments in the regional capital, Baidoa.

Laftagareen-Aligned Forces Announce Operation

Ugaas Hassan, the information minister and spokesman for the Laftagareen-aligned South West State administration, said Darwish forces had launched a military operation inside Buurhakaba aimed at retaking the town from federal-backed troops.

Hassan described the offensive as an operation to restore security and “liberate” Buurhakaba, indicating that Laftagareen’s forces were attempting to challenge the positions of troops supporting Aden Madobe.

In a statement published on his Facebook page, Hassan said the operation began early Thursday morning.

“This morning, a security operation aimed at ensuring safety began in Buurhakaba, carried out by the brave Darwish forces of the South West State government,” Hassan said.

He also called on residents to remain indoors as fighting continued.

“We call on our respected people in Buurhakaba district to stay inside their homes,” he added.

His remarks suggest that Laftagareen-aligned forces are seeking to establish control over the town, although there has been no independent confirmation of territorial gains by either side.

Residents Report Explosions and Heavy Gunfire

Residents in Buurhakaba described heavy exchanges of gunfire and explosions in several neighborhoods, suggesting that fighting had spread into populated areas of the town.

The reported use of heavy weapons has heightened concerns about the potential impact on civilians, particularly families living near the areas where the rival forces are confronting one another.

The number of casualties remains unknown, and there have been no independently verified reports confirming deaths or injuries.

It is also unclear whether either side has captured military positions or government facilities inside the town.

Federal government officials and representatives of the Aden Madobe-aligned administration had not issued a response to the latest claims at the time of reporting.

Why Buurhakaba Is Strategically Important

Buurhakaba occupies a strategically significant position along the main road linking Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, with Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State.

The town’s location makes it an important transit point for movement between the two cities, including civilian transportation, commercial supplies and military logistics.

Control of Buurhakaba could therefore have significant implications for the movement of troops and supplies along the Mogadishu–Baidoa corridor.

For Laftagareen-aligned forces, the town represents a potentially important position in their broader political and military confrontation with the federal-backed administration in Baidoa.

For forces supporting Aden Madobe, maintaining influence over Buurhakaba could be important for securing access routes and preventing rival armed groups from expanding their presence toward Baidoa.

However, the military situation remains uncertain, and claims about control of the town have not been independently verified.

Political Rivalry Deepens in South West State

The latest confrontation comes against the backdrop of an ongoing political dispute between former South West State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen and the rival political camp associated with Somali Parliament Speaker Aden Madobe.

The dispute has intensified amid disagreements over political legitimacy, regional leadership and the role of the Federal Government of Somalia in South West State’s internal affairs.

Laftagareen and his supporters have continued to challenge the authority of the rival administration, while forces aligned with Aden Madobe have sought to consolidate their positions in Baidoa and surrounding areas.

The presence of armed groups loyal to competing political leaders has increased the risk that the political dispute could develop into a wider military confrontation.

Buurhakaba’s location between Mogadishu and Baidoa gives the latest clashes particular significance, as developments in the town could affect the security environment along one of the region’s most important transportation corridors.

Concerns Grow Over Civilian Safety

The fighting has raised concerns about the safety of civilians in Buurhakaba, particularly as residents report explosions and sustained gunfire within residential neighborhoods.

The warning issued by Ugaas Hassan for residents to remain inside their homes reflects the risks associated with military operations in populated areas.

There is currently no independently confirmed information about civilian displacement, damage to property or disruptions to transportation along the main road.

The latest confrontation underscores the fragile security situation in South West State, where political disagreements and competing military loyalties continue to threaten stability.

As fighting reportedly continues, attention remains focused on whether Laftagareen-aligned Darwish forces can establish control over Buurhakaba or whether federal-backed troops will maintain their positions.