BAIDOA, Somalia — October 24, 2026 -The Southwest State administration aligned with Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has issued a strongly worded statement demanding that the Turkish government immediately halt military air operations allegedly targeting civilians in Somalia’s southwestern regions, accusing Turkish forces of conducting airstrikes that have reportedly caused civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

In an open letter dated October 24, 2026, and attributed to the Office of the President of Southwest State, the administration condemned what it described as attacks involving Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones and F-16 fighter aircraft in the Bay and Bakool regions.

The statement, addressed to the international community, the United Nations, the African Union and the Somali people, calls for urgent international intervention, an independent investigation and accountability for those allegedly responsible.

Southwest State Reports Civilian Casualties in Bay and Bakool

According to the statement, civilians in Waajid and Baidoa have been killed or injured during alleged aerial bombardments, while residential properties, agricultural land and livestock have suffered extensive damage.

The administration claims that the military operations are not legitimate counterterrorism activities against Al-Shabaab but are instead aimed at weakening political opposition in Southwest State.

It alleges that civilian communities, villages and farming areas have been deliberately targeted as part of a broader political and military campaign.

The allegations emerge amid political tensions between Somalia’s federal leadership and the Southwest State administration aligned with Laftagareen.

Laftagareen-Aligned Administration Accuses Federal Leaders and Turkey

In one of the statement’s strongest passages, the Southwest State administration directly accuses Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, senior federal official Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and the Turkish government of responsibility for the alleged military operations.

The administration argues that the reported attacks form part of a campaign to undermine its political authority and suppress opposition to the federal government’s leadership.

It further alleges that the attempted killing of General Shub in Doolow illustrates the broader nature of the campaign.

The statement also challenges President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s political legitimacy, asserting that his presidential term expired on May 15, 2026.

The administration argues that the federal leadership lacks the political mandate to authorize foreign military action against civilians.

The question of presidential legitimacy remains part of Somalia’s wider political dispute, and the administration’s position should not be treated as an independently established legal determination.

Southwest State Demands Immediate End to Turkish Air Operations

The administration issued a direct demand to Ankara, calling for the immediate cessation of air operations affecting civilian populations in Southwest State.

“We further demand that the Turkish government immediately cease all air operations against civilians in Southwest State and respect Somalia’s sovereignty,” the statement reads.

It also accuses Turkey of interfering in Somalia’s internal political affairs and argues that foreign military assistance should not be used to influence domestic political disputes.

The administration maintains that Somalia’s sovereignty must be respected and that international security partnerships should prioritize civilian protection and the country’s territorial integrity.

Turkey has maintained significant security and defense cooperation with Somalia, including military training and support for Somali security institutions.

Calls for International Investigation and Accountability

The Laftagareen-aligned administration has called on international organizations and foreign governments to investigate the alleged airstrikes and determine whether violations of international humanitarian law have occurred.

It specifically appeals to the United Nations, African Union, European Union, United States and other international partners to use diplomatic channels to address the situation.

The statement invokes the Geneva Conventions and Article 8 of the Rome Statute, which addresses war crimes under international criminal law.

The administration argues that deliberate attacks against civilians, if established, would constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Under the laws of armed conflict, parties involved in military operations must distinguish between civilians and combatants and comply with applicable rules governing attacks.

Whether any particular incident constitutes a war crime depends on the evidence, circumstances and applicable legal standards.

The administration also urges international human rights organizations and journalists to document the reported bombardments and investigate allegations of civilian harm.

Political Tensions Deepen in Southwest Somalia

The statement comes against a backdrop of political disagreements over governance, constitutional authority and the relationship between Somalia’s federal government and its regional member states.

Southwest State occupies a strategically important position in southern Somalia, encompassing areas that have experienced longstanding security challenges, political disputes and military operations against Al-Shabaab.

Baidoa, the regional administration’s political center, has remained an important location in discussions surrounding federal-state relations and regional security.

Waajid, in Bakool region, is also strategically significant because of its location and security environment.

The administration’s latest accusations introduce another potentially serious dimension to these tensions by alleging direct involvement by a major international security partner.

If independently substantiated, allegations of civilian casualties linked to foreign military operations could intensify diplomatic scrutiny and demands for greater transparency.

Administration Says It Will Not Be Intimidated

Despite the alleged military pressure, the Southwest State administration insists that its political position will remain unchanged.

In its concluding remarks, the statement declares:

“No foreign air power can impose legitimacy. The people of Southwest State will not be intimidated or silenced by bombs.”