Thursday , May 14, 2026 - The Security Minister of South West State has claimed that Darawiish forces loyal to President Abdiaziz Laftagareen were targeted in an airstrike in the Bay region, describing the group as linked to Al-Shabaab. The statement comes shortly after a deadly attack in Baidoa in which senior officials were reportedly killed, heightening tensions in the region.
The Security Minister of South West State has said that an airstrike targeted Darawiish forces in the Bay region, alleging that the units are aligned with Al-Shabaab. The minister made the remarks in a statement following a rapidly escalating security situation in Baidoa.
According to the minister, the forces targeted in the strike are linked to elements considered hostile to the South West regional administration. The minister further claimed that the aircraft involved in the operation departed from Mogadishu. These claims have not been independently verified by international observers.
According to security sources in Baidoa, the situation in the city remains tense following a deadly attack earlier in the day in which several senior officials stationed in the Bay region were reportedly killed. The identities of the victims have not been fully confirmed by authorities at the time of reporting.
Local residents in Baidoa reported hearing heavy explosions and sustained security activity in parts of the city. Witnesses said government forces and security units were deployed immediately after the incident, though full details remain unclear.
According to officials in the South West administration, the airstrike is part of ongoing security operations targeting armed groups operating in the region. However, no independent military confirmation has been released regarding the aircraft or the nature of the operation.
Authorities have not provided a detailed breakdown of casualties or confirmed the exact locations targeted in the alleged airstrike. Investigations are ongoing as security forces continue operations in the Bay region.
Security officials in South West State say operations are continuing in and around Baidoa following the earlier attack that reportedly killed senior regional officials.
According to security sources, additional checkpoints and patrols have been established in key parts of the city as authorities assess the situation.
No independent confirmation has been issued regarding the identity of the group responsible for the earlier attack.
Casualty figures from both the reported attack and the alleged airstrike remain unconfirmed. According to local sources, emergency response efforts are ongoing in Baidoa.
Residents reported movement restrictions and heightened security presence in several neighborhoods following the incidents.
Humanitarian access in affected areas has not been independently assessed due to the evolving security situation.
According to the South West State Security Minister, the administration is responding to what he described as coordinated security threats in the region.
Federal and regional authorities have not yet issued a joint statement confirming the details of the alleged airstrike or the reported casualties from the earlier attack.
Security officials say investigations are underway to establish the full sequence of events.
The Bay region has experienced repeated security incidents involving government forces, allied militias, and Al-Shabaab fighters in recent years.
Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State, has frequently been a center of both political activity and security operations.
Tensions between regional security forces and armed groups operating in rural areas have contributed to ongoing instability in the region.
Authorities are expected to release further updates as investigations continue into both the reported attack in Baidoa and the alleged airstrike.
Security operations are likely to continue across key areas of the Bay region as officials attempt to stabilize the situation.
The reported incidents highlight the fragile security environment in South West Somalia, where competing claims and ongoing operations often unfold simultaneously.
Unverified allegations surrounding airstrikes and targeted groups add complexity to an already volatile situation, making independent verification difficult in real time.
If confirmed, the developments could further escalate tensions between regional security actors and armed groups operating in the area.
The situation also raises concerns about civilian safety and the risk of further instability in Baidoa and surrounding districts as operations continue.