Somalia’s South West power feud between the state and federal government has reached a new level.
Forces loyal to former South West State president Abdelaziz Hassan Mohamed also known as Laftagaren Thursday seized control of the strategic town of Buurhakaba in the Bay region.
There has been intense fighting with troops aligned with the federal government led by Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, officials said.
Fighting in Buurhakaba began early Thursday, with residents reporting heavy gunfire and explosions as Laftagareen’s forces attacked positions held by federal troops and regional forces backing Madobe.
Fighters loyal to the former regional leader subsequently entered parts of the town, according to local reports.
The takeover marked a further escalation in the struggle for control of Southwest State with Laftagareen-aligned forces also having taken control of Qansahdhere, another district in the Bay region, in recent days.
The developments are putting additional pressure on the administration installed in Baidoa with the backing of Mogadishu.
Federal forces entered Baidoa in March this year after disputes over constitutional reforms, elections and Laftagareen’s regional re-election.
He subsequently resigned and left the city, while his supporters rejected the transition. Madobe was later elected with federal backing, deepening the crisis.
The dispute escalated into heavy fighting in Baidoa on August 17, when Laftagareen-aligned forces attacked federal and Madobe-aligned positions.
The two sides have since continued mobilising armed troops around the city, with civilians fleeing several neighbourhoods amid fears of renewed conflict.
Hassan Abdi, a former spokesman for the South West administration who is aligned with Laftagareen, said in a video circulated on social media that the forces had entered Buurhakaba and would remain there.
He urged residents to welcome the troops and said they would not target individuals.
Buurhakaba occupies a strategic position along the main road connecting Mogadishu with Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State.
Control of the town could affect the movement of security forces, commercial transport and supplies along the route.
MG/as/APA