Somalia: Former South West leader denies alliance with Al-Shabaab after Baidoa clashes

BAIDOA, Somalia — Former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has denied allegations that he has formed an alliance with Al-Shabaab, following recent clashes in Baidoa involving his forces and the militant group.

The Somali federal government has accused Laftagareen of seeking Al-Shabaab’s support to help destabilise security in South West State.

Laftagareen rejected the allegations, saying the fighting in Baidoa was triggered by forces he claimed had been deployed from Mogadishu and had remained in the city for some time.

He said his forces launched the attack in an attempt to remove what he described as “invading forces” and restore control of the South West State administration to his side.

Laftagareen insisted the operation had nothing to do with Al-Shabaab and denied cooperating with the militant group.

Asked why he had previously left Baidoa, he said he had the military capacity to fight at the time but chose not to do so to avoid harming civilians and causing damage to the city.

He said security conditions and grievances among residents had ultimately compelled him to return to the political and security struggle in South West State.

The clashes have deepened tensions between Laftagareen and the federal government, with concerns that the dispute could further destabilise Baidoa and surrounding areas.

GAROWE ONLINE