Somalia’s Southwest State has accused Türkiye of F-16 airstrikes near Baidoa, alleging civilian deaths and damage, and demanding a halt and investigation…reports Africa Daily News Desk
Somalia’s Southwest State has lodged a formal complaint with the Turkish government, accusing it of carrying out F-16 airstrikes in Baidoa and surrounding villages that allegedly caused civilian deaths and destroyed property and livestock. In a letter dated 15 October 2026, Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen called on Türkiye to halt the operations, investigate the reported damage and support the withdrawal of federal troops loyal to Somalia’s federal leadership.
The letter, addressed to the Government of the Republic of Türkiye in Ankara and copied to the Turkish embassy in Mogadishu, said the airstrikes had continued from 30 March 2026 through the date of the complaint.
Laftagareen said the attacks had affected civilians and damaged homes, property and livestock. He called for an immediate end to F-16 operations over Baidoa and nearby villages, as well as an end to military support for operations against Southwest State.
The president also demanded an investigation into the reported deaths and destruction, with the findings made public. The letter did not provide figures for the alleged civilian casualties or the extent of the damage.
Southwest State described itself as a federal member state of Somalia with its own leadership and institutions. The letter said its dispute with Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia’s federal president, was political and stemmed from opposition to what it called a fraudulent election scheme.
It also accused Mohamud’s actions towards Southwest State of reflecting a “clannish mindset” and a clan-based political agenda. Laftagareen argued that Turkish military support risked enabling this agenda and intensifying the conflict.
The letter said Türkiye should take responsibility for its role and the alleged harm caused to the people of Southwest State. It called on the Turkish government to use its influence to support the withdrawal of federal troops loyal to Mohamud from the region, describing this as a necessary step towards a peaceful resolution.
The complaint also warned that Türkiye’s actions had affected how Somalis viewed their country’s relationship with the Turkish government. It urged Ankara to respond urgently and remain open to discussions on the dispute.
The letter represents the Southwest State leadership’s account of the alleged airstrikes and its political dispute with Somalia’s federal government. The claims, including the allegations concerning civilian deaths, property destruction and Turkish military involvement, were not independently verified in the document. It did not include a response from the Turkish government or Somalia’s federal authorities.
The complaint comes amid tensions between Southwest State’s leadership and the federal government in Mogadishu. The letter makes clear that the regional administration links any resolution of the dispute to the withdrawal of federal troops loyal to Mohamud and calls for Türkiye to play a role in achieving that outcome.
The Turkish government has been asked to stop the alleged air operations, investigate their reported consequences and support efforts towards a peaceful settlement. The document does not indicate whether Ankara has responded to the complaint.
