Battle on the Road to Burhakaba: Somalia’s Federal Government Forces Suffer Heavy Losses

MOGADISHU— Forces loyal to Somalia’s federal government, whose term in office has expired, reportedly suffered heavy casualties and lost military vehicles during fierce fighting between Leego and Jameecada as they advanced toward Buurhakaba in the Bay region.

The troops, comprising units from the elite Gorgor and Danab forces, had been deployed to recapture Buurhakaba, approximately 60 kilometres from Baidoa. The town is currently controlled by forces loyal to exiled South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, widely known as Laftagareen.

The military operation is linked to Villa Somalia’s efforts to consolidate its authority over South West State through a rival administration established in Baidoa, headed by former Speaker of the Federal Parliament Aden Mohamed Nur, commonly known as Aden Madobe, whose term in office has also expired. The legitimacy of the process through which the administration was established remains disputed.

Madobe, who has been staying in Mogadishu in recent days, reportedly made his return to Baidoa conditional on federal forces first retaking Buurhakaba. Meanwhile, forces loyal to Laftagareen have captured several areas across the Bay and Bakool regions.

Security sources said military officers commanding the federal troops had warned against advancing along the Mogadishu–Baidoa highway, a route that has remained vulnerable to Al-Shabaab attacks for years. Their concerns were reportedly dismissed, and the operation was ordered to proceed.

The troops encountered heavy rainfall, difficult road conditions and multiple ambushes before coming under intense attack near Jameecada. Reports indicate that numerous soldiers were killed and 36 military vehicles were lost, including six Turkish-made Kirpi armoured vehicles.

Officers reported missing include Mahad Caamir, Anas Dheere, Jeego, Abdikarim and Ahmed Gaashaan. Halac, commander of the 64th Battalion of the 7th Brigade, was reportedly wounded.

Pro-Al-Shabaab online platforms circulated images and videos purporting to show military vehicles captured from federal forces, alongside others destroyed during the fighting. Separate reports also alleged that Turkish military aircraft mistakenly struck Somali government troops, potentially contributing to the losses.

The latest clashes followed federal military operations along the Mogadishu–Baidoa highway, including fighting around Leego on October 24. The area has witnessed major confrontations in the past, notably Al-Shabaab’s deadly 2015 assault on Burundian troops serving with the African Union mission.

The fighting also comes amid growing regional concerns over Somalia’s political crisis. Uganda has reportedly warned that it could withdraw its troops from Somalia unless the country’s deepening political disputes are resolved.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud travelled to Uganda on October 26, shortly after announcing plans for a national consultative meeting with opposition leaders and regional administrations.

The central question is why Villa Somalia has chosen this moment to risk troops and military equipment along a highway long plagued by insecurity, particularly when the operation appears closely tied to efforts to strengthen Aden Madobe’s administration rather than prioritising the security of the strategic Mogadishu–Baidoa corridor.