(20 Apr 2025) BAIDOA (Halqabsi News) – Tensions are high on the outskirts of Baidoa after residents reported sightings of Al-Shabaab militants regrouping in nearby villages. The area, which serves as the interim capital of South West State, has seen a rise in insurgent activity following a recent government victory.
According to local sources, the militant group has begun military mobilisation after suffering heavy losses in the Burjeed area, where dozens of its fighters were killed during clashes with Somali national forces and South West State troops. The bodies of several militants were later displayed publicly in Baidoa’s Afar Irdood square, attracting large crowds.
The latest movements by Al-Shabaab are widely interpreted as efforts to regroup and retaliate after the setback. South West State authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the militant build-up near Baidoa.
This comes just a week after the collapse of a years-long Al-Shabaab blockade, which had prevented the delivery of essential goods to parts of Bay and Bakool regions. For the first time in nearly a decade, commercial vehicles carrying food and supplies entered several affected towns.
Despite intensified military operations, Al-Shabaab remains active across parts of Bay, Bakool, and the Shabelle regions, where it continues to target government positions and civilians. The broader conflict remains volatile, with renewed concerns over insurgent advances near the capital, Mogadishu.
Halqabsi News
