Follow-ups: HAPC TEAM,
Date: April 4, 2026,
On Friday, the Somali militant group al-Shabaab targeted Baidoa airport with mortar shells moments after the arrival of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
The Movement claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday through a statement. published, after fingers were pointed to political and military figures, in an article in the South West State of Somalia.
Officials stated that the attack occurred minutes after the president arrived in the interim capital of Somalia’s Southwest State, and that the attack did not result in any injuries or casualties.
President Hassan Sheikh’s visit came after forces loyal to the federal government in Mogadishu took control of the city following heightened political and military tensions.
In a related development, government officials revealed that preparations are underway for local elections in Baidoa, where residents are expected to cast their votes for city council members and regional representatives. Voter registration in the region was scheduled for mid-2025 as a step towards holding popular elections.
These events come after a series of political tensions and a military escalation between Mogadishu and Baidoa, where the Mogadishu federal government deemed previous election procedures null and void and illegal, resulting in tensions and the resignation of the president of the South West State of Somalia, while Mogadishu government forces took control of Baidoa, the temporary capital of the South West State of Somalia.
