Baidoa Online
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Non-partisan, journalist-run platform reporting on current issues in Somalia. https://t.co/Cr6lGiHHpP Ads/opinions: send to [email protected]
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#ALERT: Al-Shabaab Leader Sheikh Ali Dheere Sends Son on Suicide Mission in Godka Jilicow Attack – 5 October 2025 In a disturbing propaganda release timed for Eid, Al-Shabaab revealed that one of its senior figures sent his own son to participate in a suicide attack on the NISA detention facility at Godka Jilicow in Mogadishu on 5 October 2025. The video identifies the young attacker as Abdirahman, the son of the group’s spokesman Ali Mahmoud Rage, also known as Sheikh Ali Dheere. Analysts note that this is only the second time in Al-Shabaab’s history that senior leadership has involved their own children in such missions. The first recorded instance was in 2013, when the son of former Al-Shabaab governor Yusuf Sheikh Isse, known as Kaba-kutukade, carried out a suicide bombing at the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu.
Baidoa Online1,043,962 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
#FINALUPDATE: Laftagareen Forces Retreat After Four-Hour Battle Inside Baidoa, Sources Say Darawish forces loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen” withdrew to the outskirts of Baidoa after entering the city and fighting federal government troops for approximately four hours, according to security sources. The clashes began at around 5:30 a.m. local time on Thursday. The sources described the fighting as intense The fighting affected Alfaras, Suuqa Xoolaha, Boonkaay, Al-Axmaar, Darasalam, Tawfiq and Bukriyey, according to reports from the city. Heavy gunfire and explosions forced civilians to flee affected areas. Some residents reportedly sought shelter at Cambaha Mosque in Galgalgooban, seeking protection inside its concrete structure from stray bullets, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar shells. Earlier reports indicated that several civilian homes caught fire after being struck by rocket-propelled grenades. The extent of the damage, responsibility for the reported strikes and any resulting casualties remained unconfirmed. Electricity service in Baidoa was also cut. The supplier described the shutdown as a precaution to reduce the risk of electric shocks, but no restoration timetable was available. Earlier Claims of Advances Before the reported retreat, Laftagareen-aligned forces were said to have entered several neighbourhoods and contested military positions held by federal troops. They reportedly took control of neighbourhoods between Cunaay and Ceel Cabdi Shiraay and claimed to have captured the Boonkay military base. A senior member of the forces also claimed they had seized three armed vehicles belonging to federal troops. Those claims were not independently verified. The latest account of a withdrawal does not establish which positions either side now holds or whether any captured equipment was taken away. Reports also indicated that a federal military commander had been wounded. No independently confirmed update on the officer’s condition was available, and there was no verified overall casualty toll. Surrender Call During the Battle As fighting continued, Ugaas Hassan, spokesman for the Darawish forces loyal to Laftagareen, posted a message on Facebook urging officers commanding federal troops to surrender immediately. He had earlier announced an offensive to take Baidoa, called on residents to remain indoors and instructed his fighters to avoid harming civilians. The surrender demand preceded the reported retreat. No explanation for the withdrawal from the spokesman was available in the accounts received. Baidoa Online had reported military preparations before the fighting, including movements by Laftagareen-aligned forces outside the city and federal troops digging defensive trenches inside it. Rival Claims to South West Leadership Federal troops in Baidoa support Sheikh Aden Madobe’s administration, which is competing with Laftagareen’s camp for control of South West State. Both administrations claim political legitimacy. Madobe’s administration is based in Baidoa, while Laftagareen’s loyalists had been positioned mainly outside the regional capital before Thursday’s offensive. Despite the reported withdrawal, the security situation remained unclear. There was no confirmed account of the full extent of casualties, damage or displacement, and no indication of when residents who fled could safely return.
Baidoa Online19,028 Aufrufe • vor 7 Tagen
#UPDATE: Laftagareen Forces Claim Seizure of Three Federal Military Vehicles in Baidoa A senior member of the forces loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen” said they had captured three armed vehicles belonging to federal government troops supporting Sheikh Aden Madobe, as heavy fighting continued in several parts of Baidoa. The claim could not be independently verified. No further details were available about where or when the vehicles were reportedly seized. Fighting was reported to be concentrated in the Alfaras, Boonkaay and Al-Axmaar areas. There was no confirmed information on casualties or changes in territorial control. The clashes come amid a struggle between Laftagareen’s camp and the federal-backed administration led by Madobe for control of South West State. This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
Baidoa Online17,589 Aufrufe • vor 8 Tagen
#UPDATE: Ethiopia Reportedly Seeks Accelerated Troop Withdrawal from Somalia, Prompting AUSSOM Review Ethiopia has reportedly asked the African Union to accelerate the withdrawal of some of its troops deployed in Somalia, potentially forcing changes to AUSSOM’s planned troop reduction and redeployment schedule. The request has not been officially confirmed by Ethiopia, the African Union or the Somali government. However, sources familiar with the matter described it as an unexpected development that prompted AU officials to reconsider the order and timing of troop withdrawals. Under the previous plan, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, was expected to prioritize reducing Uganda’s military contingent and completing the withdrawal of the remaining Burundian forces. Ethiopia’s reported request would require the AU to revise that timetable and determine which contingents should leave first. Ethiopian troops have maintained a significant presence in several parts of southern and central Somalia for many years. Last Saturday, Ethiopian forces formally transferred administrative control of a military base in #Buurhakaba district, Bay region, which they had occupied for more than a decade. Although the troops have not yet completely vacated the facility, reports indicate they are making extensive preparations to withdraw. Ethiopian forces are also expected to leave additional positions in southern Somalia, although no official timetable has been announced. An accelerated #Ethiopian withdrawal could have significant security and political consequences, particularly for Somali authorities and regional actors that have depended on Ethiopian military support in areas threatened by Al-Shabaab. The reported development comes as AUSSOM faces worsening financial and operational challenges. Concerns over the mission’s future have increased following reports that the United States intends to end financial support for African forces serving under the operation. Neither AUSSOM nor the African Union has publicly explained how a faster Ethiopian withdrawal would affect security arrangements or the transfer of military bases to Somali forces.
Baidoa Online37,011 Aufrufe • vor 29 Tagen
#UPDATE: UAE-Backed ‘Somali RSF’ Militia Seizes Marka as South West State Loses Control An armed group describing itself as the “Somali RSF” and claiming allegiance to a proposed “Southeastern State” has reportedly seized control of Marka, the capital of Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, according to preliminary reports from local sources. The militia is reportedly led by Abdalla Abdalla, who is currently based in Dubai. Sources allege that the group receives support from the United Arab Emirates, although no publicly available evidence has independently verified the claim. The UAE has not commented on the allegation. The reported takeover would mean that Marka is no longer under the effective control of Somalia’s South West State administration. Neither the South West State administration nor Somalia’s federal government has officially confirmed that control of the city has changed hands. Abdalla and representatives of the proposed Southeastern State have also not issued a detailed public statement. Marka is a strategically important coastal city located approximately 90 kilometres southwest of Mogadishu. The situation remains fluid, and further details are expected.
Baidoa Online15,461 Aufrufe • vor 18 Tagen
#ALERT: Al-Shabaab Issues Strong Warning Over Israeli Recognition of Somaliland The militant group Al-Shabaab has issued a stern warning regarding what it described as Israeli recognition of Somaliland, threatening violent action if such engagement takes place. In an audio message attributed to senior figures within the group, Al-Shabaab claimed that Israel would “regret” any presence or activity in Somaliland. The group stated that it would actively confront Israeli interests should they enter the region. There has been no official confirmation from either Somaliland or Israeli authorities regarding the claims made in the audio recording. Security analysts note that such statements are consistent with Al-Shabaab’s propaganda efforts and broader regional messaging.
Baidoa Online121,449 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten
#UPDATE: Visibly Angry President Hassan Sheikh Slams Kampala Communiqué Over Call for Inclusive Political Agreement Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appeared visibly angry as he criticized the final communiqué issued after the Kampala meeting, objecting to the inclusion of a provision calling for an inclusive political agreement in Somalia. According to reports from the meeting, the Ugandan government incorporated the provision into the final statement, urging Somalia’s political stakeholders to pursue an inclusive political settlement as part of efforts to strengthen national stability. President Hassan Sheikh reportedly voiced his frustration during the closing session, delivering remarks that reflected his displeasure with the communiqué after the meeting concluded. The Kampala meeting brought together ministers from troop-contributing countries to discuss Somalia’s security, the future of the regional stabilization mission, and the country’s political situation.
Baidoa Online20,126 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
#ALERT: An Al-Shabaab figure, Sheikh Aadan Sunne, has issued a strong warning to the authorities in Somaliland, threatening violent action in response to any alleged Israeli presence in the region. A senior figure associated with the militant group Al-Shabaab, Sheikh Aadan Sunne, has issued a strong warning directed at the authorities in Somaliland, threatening violent action in response to any alleged Israeli presence in the region. In a brief recorded statement circulated online, Sunne—who is originally from Somaliland—claimed that if Israeli forces were to establish a physical presence on Somaliland territory, Al-Shabaab would launch what he described as a “jihad” against both Israel and Somaliland. He accused Somaliland authorities of cooperating with foreign actors and warned of serious consequences if such cooperation were to materialize. There has been no official confirmation from Somaliland authorities regarding the claims made in the statement, nor any verified evidence of Israeli troops planning to deploy on Somaliland soil. Government officials have not yet publicly responded to Sunne’s remarks. Security analysts note that such statements are often used by extremist groups to spread fear, rally supporters, and exert pressure on regional governments. The situation remains closely monitored amid ongoing concerns about militant activity in the Horn of Africa.
Baidoa Online81,658 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten
#ALERT: Anti-Turkey Protests Erupt Near Baidoa as Residents Burn Turkish Flag Over Airstrikes Residents from villages surrounding Baidoa town in Somalia’s Bay region staged an anti-Turkey demonstration on Saturday, burning a Turkish flag as they protested recent airstrikes and what they described as Ankara’s interference in the political and security affairs of South West State. The protesters, many of them residents of rural communities outside Baidoa, openly voiced opposition to Turkey’s involvement in the region. During the demonstration, protesters set fire to a Turkish flag in a symbolic display of anger against Ankara. Residents alleged that villages surrounding Baidoa have been targeted by airstrikes in recent days, damaging farmland and killing livestock. Some residents told Baidoa Online that farmers had suffered significant losses as a result of the reported strikes. Turkish authorities have not publicly confirmed carrying out the strikes. The protesters also accused the federal government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of interfering in South West State and working with Turkey to support one side in the region’s continuing political dispute. The demonstration comes amid heightened tensions between rival political and military factions in South West State. Supporters of former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen” have accused Turkey of supporting the rival federal-backed faction associated with Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur “Madobe.” Laftagareen-aligned forces, positioned in areas on the outskirts of Baidoa, have vowed to continue their campaign toward the regional capital, describing their actions as resistance to what they call Turkish and federal government interference in South West State affairs. The burning of the Turkish flag marks a highly visible expression of anti-Turkey sentiment among protesters from villages surrounding Baidoa, as anger grows over the reported airstrikes and Ankara’s perceived role in the region’s political and security confrontation.
Baidoa Online14,958 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
#ALERT: Al-Shabaab Releases Video of Kenyan UN Worker Held in Somalia, Following Earlier Video of Ukrainian UN Pilot The Kenyan national, who is in Al-Shabaab custody, was serving as a member of an aero-medical evacuation team with the United Nations Mission in Somalia when he was captured in January 2024. He was taken hostage after the UN helicopter he was flying made an emergency landing due to a technical malfunction near Xiindheere District in the Galgaduud region. In the video, he appeals directly to Kenyan President William Ruto and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, urging them to take steps to secure his release. He also calls on the Kenyan public to show solidarity and advocate for his freedom. The video was circulated via social media platforms associated with Al-Shabaab militants. As of now, neither the United Nations nor Kenyan authorities have issued a public statement regarding the video or the status of the captive.
Baidoa Online64,403 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten
This is great, man. “A fitting response to those with Somali phobia: • The biggest mall in Dakar is owned by a Somali. • The biggest mall in Lusaka is owned by a Somali. • The biggest mall in Lubumbashi is owned by a Somali. • The biggest mall in Nairobi is owned by a Somali.”
Baidoa Online50,174 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten
#ALERT: Al-Shabaab Militant Group Vows Deadly Response to Forced Evictions in Mogadishu Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant group has released a 29-minute propaganda video threatening action against businessmen and government officials allegedly involved in land grabbing and forced evictions in Mogadishu. In the video, spokesperson Sheikh Ali Dheere declared that seized land in the capital “cannot be developed or constructed upon” and warned that the group would take “serious measures” against anyone engaged in selling or transferring public land. The recording, posted on Al-Shabaab’s social media channels, was purportedly filmed during a graduation ceremony at the Sheikh Muhammad Mire training camp, where large numbers of fighters appeared to be present. The footage raises questions over how the group was able to stage such a gathering undetected, despite intensified U.S. and allied airstrikes in recent months targeting senior Al-Shabaab commanders. Security analysts say the video is significant not only because it directly references ongoing forced evictions and land disputes in Mogadishu, but also because it underscores Al-Shabaab’s attempt to exploit widespread public anger for political and ideological gain. The release comes amid heightened counterterrorism operations across Somalia, where Al-Shabaab remains the country’s deadliest insurgent group, carrying out frequent bombings, assassinations, and attacks against government and civilian targets.
Baidoa Online67,235 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten
#ALERT: Somaliland-origin MPs in Somalia’s Federal Parliament, currently in Mogadishu, openly back Somaliland’s position. Somaliland-origin MPs in Somalia’s Federal Parliament, currently in Mogadishu, have issued a strong and unprecedented statement on the dispute between the Federal Government and Somaliland. They openly back Somaliland’s position, reject forced unity, and call for direct North–South talks based on the 1960 union agreement between Somaliland and Somalia. The MPs accuse the Federal Government of lacking a clear unity plan, warn against divisive rhetoric, and stress that unity cannot be imposed by force. “Denying Somaliland or framing the crisis through clan politics is not a solution to Somalia’s problems.”
Baidoa Online46,294 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten
