Somali federal troops seized control of Baidoa on Monday after clashes with forces loyal to the region’s disputed president.
The central government accuses South West State leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen of illegally extending his mandate, which expired in 2022.
The fighting erupted after Laftagareen opposed a March constitutional reform extending presidential terms and introducing direct elections for Somali MPs and senators.
Laftagareen, whose location remains unknown, posted on Facebook that he had stepped down as president of South West State after the clashes.
Clashes began roughly six kilometres from the city, forcing local forces to retreat, Somali National Army commander Hassan Mohamed told AFP.
Federal troops entered Baidoa from the animal market side, vowing to clear the city of remaining loyalists, Hassan said earlier Monday.
Residents confirmed Somali army soldiers, joined by anti-local militias, had entered the city following brief suburban fighting, avoiding urban bloodshed.
South West State officials had earlier insisted local authorities could repel any attack, warning invaders would fail, spokesman Ugaas Hassan said.
Security minister Mohamed Isak Osman announced that federal troops now fully control Baidoa, urging state forces to avoid confrontation with government forces.
Witnesses reported former administration forces withdrew from all positions, allowing federal troops to occupy vacated areas across the city.
Locals described the situation as stabilised, with residents welcoming federal forces and relief spreading after prolonged unrest was averted.
The Somali government pledged to protect stability, citizens’ well-being, and property while preventing any acts of persecution or retaliation.
Mogadishu reportedly deployed 600 to 800 soldiers, reinforced by hundreds of local militiamen, to retake the strategic city from Laftagareen loyalists.