BAIDOA – The South West State administration has issued a strong statement condemning what it described as widespread aerial bombardment in areas surrounding Baidoa, accusing the Federal Government of Somalia of carrying out attacks that resulted in civilian casualties and property damage.

In an official press release issued by the Office of South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), the administration alleged that the operations involved helicopters, F-16 fighter aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It claimed the strikes caused deaths, injuries, and significant destruction of civilian property.

The statement accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of authorizing what it described as an attack against areas under the South West administration.

The administration also criticized the reported use of Turkish-supplied military equipment during the operations, urging the Turkish government to review how its military assistance to Somalia is being utilized and to ensure it is not used in ways that harm civilians.

The South West administration called on the United Nations, African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom to closely monitor the security and humanitarian situation in the Bay region and support efforts to protect civilians.

In its concluding remarks, the administration reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives and dignity of the people of South West State and to upholding what it described as its constitutional institutions.

The statement reflects escalating tensions between the Federal Government and the South West administration. The allegations, if confirmed, could draw increased international attention to the security situation in the Bay region, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and the use of foreign military assistance. At the time of the statement, the Federal Government had not publicly responded to the allegations.