QORYOOLEY, Somalia — Forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, widely known as Laftagareen, have reportedly taken control of Qoryooley town in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region without fighting, following negotiations with local security forces.

Senior security sources and officials from the Qoryooley district administration say the town is now under the control of Laftagareen-aligned Darawish forces after an agreement was reached allowing the troops to enter peacefully.

The reported development represents another significant territorial gain for Laftagareen’s forces, which have expanded their presence across several strategic towns in southern Somalia amid an escalating political and military confrontation with the Federal Government of Somalia and the federally backed South West State administration.

Negotiations Pave the Way for Peaceful Takeover

According to security sources familiar with the developments, negotiations between representatives of Laftagareen and security personnel stationed in Qoryooley concluded with an agreement permitting Darawish forces to enter the town without resistance.

The discussions reportedly focused on arrangements for the peaceful transfer of security control, preventing an armed confrontation between the incoming forces and troops already stationed in the district.

Following the agreement, local security personnel reportedly welcomed the advancing Darawish contingent, allowing the forces to establish a presence in Qoryooley without major fighting.

The reported peaceful entry is particularly significant given the broader military tensions affecting South West State, where competing forces have clashed over control of important district centres.

Sources have not disclosed the detailed terms of the agreement, including whether existing security personnel will remain in their positions or be integrated into the incoming force.

Commander Baargeele Reportedly Enters Qoryooley With Large Military Contingent

Emerging security reports also indicate that a military officer identified as Baargeele entered Qoryooley accompanied by a substantial contingent of troops loyal to Laftagareen.

The reported arrival of Baargeele and his forces followed the negotiations that facilitated the town’s peaceful takeover.

Security sources describe the deployment as part of a wider effort by Laftagareen-aligned forces to consolidate their influence across strategically important districts in southern Somalia.

However, the precise number of troops involved, their deployment locations and the command arrangements established following their arrival remain unclear.

There have been no independently verified reports of armed resistance during the reported entry into Qoryooley.

Why Qoryooley Is Strategically Important

Qoryooley is an important district town in Lower Shabelle, approximately 120 kilometres southwest of Mogadishu.

Its location within the wider Lower Shabelle transport network gives it military, economic and logistical significance, particularly because of the region’s connections to Mogadishu, the southern coastline and other parts of South West State.

Lower Shabelle is among Somalia’s most productive agricultural regions, with farming communities relying heavily on the fertile lands surrounding the Shabelle River.

Control of Qoryooley could provide Laftagareen-aligned forces with an additional strategic position in Lower Shabelle, expanding their influence beyond the Bay region, where much of their recent military activity has been concentrated.

The town’s importance also extends to security operations, commercial transportation, agricultural trade and the movement of humanitarian supplies.

Any lasting change in the town’s administration could therefore have implications for both regional security and civilian access to essential services.

Federal Government Faces Growing Territorial Pressure

The reported developments in Qoryooley come after a series of territorial losses suffered by federal government-aligned forces and the current South West State administration.

During October, Laftagareen-loyal Darawish forces captured or entered several strategically important locations across Bay region, including Berdaale, Qansaxdheere, Buurhakaba, Diinsoor and Awdiinle.

These advances have significantly altered the military and political landscape surrounding Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State.

Awdiinle is particularly significant because it lies approximately 30 kilometres from Baidoa, placing Laftagareen-aligned forces close to the regional capital.

Buurhakaba also holds considerable strategic importance because of its position along the main road linking Mogadishu and Baidoa, a vital transport corridor for commercial traffic and security operations.

Previous reports indicate that several of these towns changed hands following the withdrawal of government-aligned security personnel, although fighting occurred in Buurhakaba.

The reported capture of Qoryooley would mark a further geographical expansion of Laftagareen’s military influence into Lower Shabelle.

Political Confrontation Deepens Across South West State

The territorial developments are unfolding against the backdrop of a political dispute involving Laftagareen, Somalia’s federal leadership and the current South West State administration.

Laftagareen, who previously served as South West State president, has challenged the political transition that removed his administration from power.

His supporters have continued to mobilise politically and militarily, while federal government-aligned forces have sought to maintain control of key administrative and security centres.

The latest territorial changes have raised questions about the ability of the federally backed administration to maintain its presence across the region.