Somalia’s Southwest State Halts All Commercial Flights Amid Deepening Mogadishu Rift

Thursday March 19, 2026

Baidoa (AX) — In a sharp escalation with Somalia’s federal authorities, Southwest State on Wednesday halted all commercial and private air traffic into and out of airports across the region.

The Southwest Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said in a statement the suspension took effect March 18, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice.

The ministry said it imposed the measure to protect public safety and keep air traffic orderly “given the prevailing circumstances,” without elaborating.

Under the directive, all airlines and flight operators must cease scheduled and unscheduled passenger and cargo services and coordinate with the relevant authorities on any future arrangements.

Flights run by the United Nations and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) are exempt, but only for humanitarian, medical and official purposes. The ministry added that such aircraft may move personnel and equipment but are not allowed to carry politicians without specific authorization.

Officials warned that any breach of the order would trigger legal action by the regional administration.

The flight freeze came hours after Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen reaffirmed that his administration had severed ties with the federal government, accusing Mogadishu of meddling in the region’s political and security affairs and undermining the federal system.

A day earlier, the federal government was reported to have temporarily restricted civilian flights between Mogadishu and Baidoa, though operations later partially resumed.

The federal government has not directly addressed Southwest’s latest move. However, the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation said Wednesday it is monitoring the situation and warned that continued political friction could threaten peace and stability.

The standoff marks a major escalation in tensions between Baidoa and Mogadishu, adding pressure to Somalia’s fragile federal framework amid heightened political and security uncertainty.