Baidoa, Somalia — Somali federal government forces, supported by allied opposition groups in the Southwest region, took control of key parts of Baidoa on Monday following intense fighting on the outskirts of the city.
Baidoa, the administrative capital of Somalia’s Southwest state, witnessed heavy clashes involving a range of weaponry before federal troops advanced into the city. The operation marks a significant shift in control in the Bay region amid ongoing political tensions.
Following hours of negotiations between federal authorities and regional leadership, Southwest state President Abdiaziz Laftagareen agreed to step down and leave the country, transferring administrative control to the federal government.
As part of the agreement, Finance Minister Ahmed Mohamed Hussein has been appointed as the acting president of Southwest state. The interim arrangement is intended to stabilize governance in the region during the transition period.
Eyewitnesses reported that President Laftagareen departed Baidoa on Monday afternoon aboard a plane identified by registration number 5Y-FAR.
The federal government has not yet issued a detailed statement on the duration of the interim administration or plans for future elections in the Southwest state.
