South West leader orders operations against Al-Shabaab and Laftagareen-aligned Militias.

The President of Somalia’s South West State, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, has ordered security forces to launch operations aimed at strengthening security in Baidoa following a series of meetings with federal and South West security commanders.

According to security sources in Baidoa cited by Mustaqbal Media, Madobe directed federal forces and South West State Darwish troops to establish new positions on the outskirts of Baidoa as part of efforts to prevent armed groups from launching attacks against the regional capital.

The decision followed meetings between Madobe and senior commanders from the Somali federal security forces and the South West State Darwish forces. The South West forces involved reportedly include personnel drawn largely from the state’s Badbaado forces.

Madobe had requested additional troops, some of whom were deployed to Baidoa on Sunday. The newly deployed forces are expected to support preventive security operations targeting locations used as launching points for attacks on the city.

Security sources said the federal government has also fulfilled commitments made to Madobe to provide technical and operational support for efforts to reinforce security in Baidoa and confront both Al-Shabaab militants and militias loyal to former South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.

Baidoa has faced growing security pressure in recent weeks, with clashes and armed confrontations reported around the city involving forces aligned with the current South West administration and forces associated with the previous administration.
Since returning to Baidoa, Madobe has held a series of meetings with military and security officials to assess the situation and develop measures to address the pressure facing the city.
The latest decision signals an increased security mobilization around Baidoa as federal and South West authorities seek to prevent further attacks and reinforce control over the regional capital.

Mustaqbal