BAIDOA, Somalia — Former South West State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has called for an international investigation into what he described as military attacks and abuses in parts of South West Somalia, in a letter addressed to the United Nations and international partners.
The letter, dated September 26, 2026, was sent to the United States, foreign embassies and diplomatic missions in Somalia, the United Nations, European Union, African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Somali opposition groups.
Laftagareen accused Somalia’s federal government and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of conducting military operations in South West that he said had affected civilians and political opponents. He alleged that federal forces moved towards Baidoa in late March following what he claimed were agreements between the government and Al-Shabaab that facilitated the movement of troops between Mogadishu and Baidoa. The allegations have not been independently verified.
According to the letter, military operations have continued for about six months, including alleged airstrikes by Cessna aircraft on villages near Baidoa. Laftagareen named Hartiagle, Ceel Doon, Ceel Ka Naho, Saaydhlelow and Sagara Gali as among the areas affected, claiming that civilians and livestock were harmed.
He also accused a company he said supplied Cessna aircraft to Somalia of links to individuals including Ahmed Guuleed and former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The claims were presented in the letter but were not accompanied by independently verified evidence.
Laftagareen separately raised the September 3 attack in Doolow, Gedo region, involving former Somali Custodial Corps commander General Mahad Abdirahman Aden, widely known as General Shub. He alleged that a Turkish F-16 fighter jet carried out the attack. The claim has not been independently verified. Reports about the incident have differed, while Somalia’s federal government has rejected allegations linking it to the strike.
Laftagareen said the incidents should not be viewed solely as counterterrorism operations, arguing that they had broader consequences for civilians, the South West administration and Somalia’s political stability.
In his letter, he called on international partners to take five main steps: condemn what he described as attacks in South West and against civilians and political opponents; launch an independent international investigation into alleged agreements with Al-Shabaab, the role of federal forces, the use of Cessna aircraft and the Doolow incident; halt military operations and airstrikes; allow investigators safe access to affected areas and relevant witnesses, aircraft, flight records and operational documents; and hold accountable anyone found to have planned, ordered or carried out the alleged acts.
Laftagareen urged the international community to respond urgently, saying civilians in South West needed protection and that those responsible for abuses should be held accountable.
The allegations contained in the letter have not been independently verified. They reflect claims made by Laftagareen and his administration, while the federal government and other parties named in connection with the allegations have disputed or rejected some of the accusations.
