Somalia’s South West State leader, Sheikh Aadan Mohamed Nur, widely known as Aadan Madoobe, has held talks with politicians from Buurhakaba as his administration seeks to recover the district following its capture by forces loyal to former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
The meeting, held in Mogadishu, focused on the deteriorating security situation in South West State, political developments and efforts to retake Buurhakaba in Bay region. The district fell to Laftagareen-aligned forces after heavy fighting with troops supporting the current South West administration and Somalia’s Federal Government.
According to a report by Caasimada Online on Thursday, October 22, the meeting brought together Aadan Madoobe and politicians representing Buurhakaba in the Federal Government and the South West State administration. The delegation was led by Saadad Aliyow, a state minister in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation.
The participants discussed how to coordinate political and security efforts to address the situation in the district and advance plans to restore government control.
Buurhakaba Capture Deepens South West Crisis
The meeting follows fighting on October 15, when forces loyal to Laftagareen attacked positions held by federal troops and forces supporting the current South West administration in Buurhakaba.
Residents reported heavy gunfire as the attackers advanced into the town, forcing government-aligned troops to withdraw. Laftagareen-aligned forces subsequently claimed control of the district, a development reported by several regional and international news outlets.
The takeover was part of a wider series of territorial gains by forces loyal to the former regional leader. Reports published in the following days indicated that the forces had also taken control of Qansaxdheere, Bardaale, Diinsoor and Awdiinle, putting additional pressure on the administration based in Baidoa.
Buurhakaba is strategically important because it lies along the main road connecting Mogadishu with Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State. Control of the district affects movement along a key route used by civilians, commercial transport and security forces.
The territorial losses have intensified the confrontation between Laftagareen’s supporters and the administration backed by the Federal Government.
During the meeting, Aadan Madoobe and the Buurhakaba politicians discussed the broader security and political situation in South West State, with particular attention to restoring stability in affected communities.
They also emphasised the need to coordinate political initiatives and security operations as the administration seeks to address the crisis in the district.
The discussions covered efforts to support residents, strengthen reconciliation and create conditions for the restoration of essential services. These issues have become increasingly important as the fighting and changes in territorial control disrupt local administration.
The participants also highlighted cooperation between political representatives and security institutions as a necessary part of the effort to recover the district.
However, the report did not provide details of a military timetable, the number of troops expected to take part in an operation or a specific date for an offensive against the forces controlling Buurhakaba.
Federal Government and South West Administration Prepare Response
The developments come as Somalia’s Federal Government and the South West administration face pressure to respond to the territorial advances by Laftagareen-aligned forces.
A report published by Horseed Media on October 18 said federal and regional authorities were mobilising forces for an operation intended to recover several districts in Bay region, including Buurhakaba, Qansaxdheere, Bardaale, Diinsoor and Awdiinle.
The reported preparations followed the rapid expansion of Laftagareen-aligned forces beyond Baidoa, where the political dispute over South West State’s leadership has repeatedly escalated into armed confrontation.
The current administration has accused Laftagareen-aligned forces of cooperating with Al-Shabaab, an accusation that Laftagareen and his supporters have denied. The competing claims have added another layer of tension to the struggle for control of the region.
A separate report by WardheerNews on October 21 said an attempt by federal forces to retake Buurhakaba had failed after an encounter with Al-Shabaab fighters near Jamaada. The report cited local sources and said casualties and the loss of armoured vehicles had not been independently verified.