By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
BAY, 16 October 2026 Forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen took control of Buur-Hakaba district in the Bay region yesterday, after heavy fighting broke out in the early morning.
The fighting was between forces supporting Laftagareen and government troops stationed in Buur-Hakaba. The attacking forces entered the district from several directions. Government troops were last reported to have been defeated and to have withdrawn from the district.
Ugaas Hassan Abdi Mohamed, former spokesman of South West State, spoke to residents inside Buur-Hakaba and confirmed that their forces had taken over the district. He said they had won the battle.
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The South West administration rejected the claims of victory. Its spokesman, Hayow, told the media that Buur-Hakaba had been attacked by Al-Shabaab fighters together with forces loyal to former president Laftagareen. He accused the two of working together.
The administration vowed to retake Buur-Hakaba and said it would drive out the forces now holding the district.