Somali army says 50 militants, militia fighters killed near Baidoa
The ministry also accused militias loyal to former Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen of fighting alongside al-Shabab, pointing to the militant group’s claim of responsibility for the ambush as evidence of “direct cooperation” between the two...
Friday May 15, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somali government forces said Friday they killed at least 50 al-Shabab fighters and armed militia members in a coordinated operation on the outskirts of Baidoa, in one of the latest clashes to hit the volatile Southwest region.
- Advertisement -
The Ministry of Defense said the action came after an early Thursday ambush on government troops patrolling the area, an assault that left senior Somali military commanders dead.
Government forces later mounted a counteroperation, killing dozens of fighters and destroying military vehicles and equipment that the ministry said had been used in attacks on both soldiers and civilians.
The ministry also accused militias loyal to former Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen of fighting alongside al-Shabab, pointing to the militant group’s claim of responsibility for the ambush as evidence of “direct cooperation” between the two sides.
“The Ministry of Defense confirms that the ambush was carried out by militias loyal to Abdiaziz Laftagareen, who have directly merged with the Khawarij of al-Shabab,” the ministry said, using the government’s term for the militant group. “The Khawarij’s claim of the attack shows that these militias have become a supporter of terrorism, and a threat to national security and stability in the Southwest regions.”
AX could not independently confirm the claim that forces loyal to Abdiaziz Laftagareen fought alongside Al-Shabaab militants.
The ministry did not immediately name the senior commanders killed in Thursday’s ambush, nor did it provide figures for government casualties.
It also warned that armed groups would not be allowed to “use security for political gain,” adding that anyone found supporting or working with al-Shabab would face legal action.
In a statement, the ministry extended condolences to the families of the soldiers killed in Thursday’s attack, calling them “heroes who died defending the nation.”
The latest violence comes as political tensions escalate in Southwest State, where disputes over regional power, elections and security arrangements have widened rifts among federal officials, regional leaders and opposition-linked figures.
Baidoa, the interim capital of Southwest State, remains a central political and military center in Somalia’s campaign against al-Shabab. Despite repeated operations by Somali forces and allied partners, the militant group continues to carry out ambushes and attacks.
