BAIDOA, Somalia — July 6, 2026 —Reports from Baidoa in Somalia’s South West State indicate that Turkish F-16 fighter jets carried out airstrikes on the outskirts of the city on Monday , according to local residents and security sources, as preparations intensified for the regional presidential inauguration of Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madoobe).

Residents said they heard loud explosions and sustained gunfire-like sounds in areas outside Baidoa, followed by the appearance of low-flying military aircraft. Some witnesses described what they believed were airstrikes targeting unspecified locations on the outskirts of the city. However, the exact targets and objectives of the reported strikes remain unclear.

Authorities have not independently confirmed that airstrikes took place, and there has been no official statement from the Federal Government of Somalia, the South West State administration, or Turkish authorities regarding the reported military activity.

According to local residents, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday , shortly before major security deployments were observed across Baidoa in preparation for the inauguration ceremony.

Security sources cited by local media said the area has been under heightened surveillance due to anticipated attendance by senior federal government officials. They added that air and ground security measures were being reinforced to secure the city during the high-profile political event.

Some witnesses reported seeing aircraft consistent with military jets operating at low altitude before explosions were heard on the outskirts of the city. The reports of airstrikes, however, remain unverified by independent military or government confirmation.

Inauguration Under Tight Security

The inauguration of South West State President Aden Mohamed Nur is expected to take place in Baidoa today, drawing senior officials from the Federal Government of Somalia as well as regional leaders.

Security has been significantly tightened across the city, with reinforced checkpoints, increased patrols, and restricted movement in areas surrounding key government installations.

According to officials involved in the preparations, the measures are intended to ensure the safety of delegates and prevent any security disruptions during the ceremony.

The reported involvement of foreign military aircraft in the broader security environment has drawn attention, although no official confirmation has been provided linking the reported activity directly to the inauguration security plan.

Government and Security Response

Federal and regional authorities have not publicly addressed the reports of airstrikes or confirmed any aerial operations in Baidoa.

Security officials, speaking on condition oanonymity to baidoaonline , described ongoing operations in the area as part of “security reinforcement activities” ahead of the inauguration but did not provide details regarding air operations or specific incidents.

Turkish authorities have also not issued any statement regarding the reported presence or activity of F-16 aircraft in Somalia at the time of reporting.

Turkey has maintained a long-standing security and defense cooperation relationship with Somalia, including training Somali National Army forces and supporting military infrastructure and capacity-building programs.

Turkish military presence in Somalia is primarily based in Mogadishu under bilateral agreements, with cooperation extending to training missions and security assistance programs.

Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State, has previously experienced heightened security operations during election cycles and leadership transitions, often involving increased federal and regional security deployments.

Political events involving both federal and regional leadership have historically required enhanced security coordination, sometimes involving international partners supporting Somali security forces.

Security operations in Baidoa are expected to remain heightened throughout the inauguration period. Authorities are likely to maintain strict checkpoints and continued surveillance across the city and surrounding areas.

Further clarification is expected from Somali federal institutions, South West State authorities, and potentially international partners regarding the reported air activity and alleged strikes.

Independent verification of the reported airstrikes has not yet been established, and updates are expected as more information becomes available from official and security-related sources.

The reported airstrikes, if confirmed, would represent a significant escalation in the use of airpower during a domestic political event in Somalia. Even without confirmation, the presence of such reports highlights the sensitivity surrounding security arrangements in politically critical regions.

The incident also underscores the complexity of security coordination in Somalia, where federal authorities, regional administrations, and international partners often operate in overlapping roles during high-risk events.

Somali opposition groups have previously criticized Turkey’s expanding political and military footprint in Somalia, arguing that Ankara’s deep involvement risks influencing domestic political dynamics and undermining national sovereignty. Critics point to Turkey’s extensive security cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia, including its large military base in Mogadishu and training of Somali forces, as evidence of growing foreign influence in internal affairs.

However, Turkey has consistently denied any interference in Somalia’s political processes, stating that its presence is strictly based on bilateral agreements focused on security assistance, state-building, and counterterrorism support. Turkish officials have rejected allegations of political involvement, insisting that their military and development activities are aimed at strengthening Somalia’s stability and institutions.