Friday, May 22, 2026 - Forces aligned with Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Lafta Gareen” say they have taken control of the Barwaaqo camp on the outskirts of Baidoa following an overnight military operation. Officials claim the raid targeted Salbalaar 2 militia fighters and resulted in significant casualties, though independent confirmation has not yet been made.
According to a statement released by commanders of the operation, Southwest State security forces carried out a planned overnight assault on the Barwaaqo camp, which is located on the outskirts of Baidoa in Somalia’s Bay region.
Officials said the camp was being used by fighters from the Salbalaar 2 militia and other allied armed groups. They stated that the operation resulted in the capture of the base after what they described as a brief but intense confrontation.
The commanders claimed that more than 15 fighters were killed and several others were wounded during the fighting. These figures have not been independently verified, and no confirmation has been provided by neutral observers or humanitarian organizations operating in the area.
According to the same statement, the armed groups were forced to withdraw from the camp following sustained fighting during the night operation.
Casualties and Security Impact
Southwest State forces said the operation inflicted heavy losses on the militia, though details on government casualties were not disclosed in the statement.
Local sources in the wider Baidoa area have not yet independently confirmed the casualty figures or the full scale of the confrontation. Communication from the area remains limited following the reported fighting.
Residents in nearby areas told local media outlets that they heard intermittent gunfire during the night, but they were unable to verify which armed groups were involved or the extent of the damage.
Officials leading the operation said the assault is part of ongoing security efforts aimed at regaining control of areas outside Baidoa city and strengthening state authority in the Bay region.
According to commanders, similar operations are expected to continue as part of wider efforts to stabilize contested areas and disrupt the presence of armed groups operating outside formal government control.
The administration of Southwest State has not issued a separate detailed public statement beyond the operational briefing provided by military commanders involved in the raid.
Baidoa and surrounding areas in Somalia’s Bay region have experienced repeated insecurity linked to armed groups, local militias, and political tensions involving regional authorities.
Barwaaqo camp and nearby rural zones have previously been mentioned in security reports as areas of armed group activity and occasional military operations. Control over such areas has shifted multiple times during periods of heightened tension.
The broader political environment in Southwest State has also been marked by disputes over governance, security control, and influence between state authorities and armed actors. These dynamics have contributed to periodic clashes and military deployments in areas surrounding Baidoa.
The reported seizure of Barwaaqo camp signals continued efforts by Southwest State forces to assert control over contested territory outside Baidoa. If confirmed, it would represent a notable shift in local security dynamics in the immediate outskirts of a key regional city.
However, the casualty figures and operational claims remain unverified, highlighting the ongoing challenge of independently confirming battlefield information in parts of southern Somalia where access is limited.
For civilians in the area, continued military operations increase uncertainty and raise concerns about displacement, restricted movement, and disruption of local livelihoods, especially in rural communities around Baidoa.
The situation also reflects broader instability in the Bay region, where competing armed actors and political tensions continue to shape security conditions and influence the pace of stabilization efforts.