Clashes erupted twice in Baidoa, capital of Somalia's South West State, on February 5, 2026, between Southwest State security forces and fighters loyal to officer Abdirahman Niishow, affiliated with Somali Speaker of Parliament Aden Madobe, killing at least three civilians and wounding others during the 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM UTC reporting window. A presidential official stated security forces launched an operation to clear looters, as RPG fire hit civilian residences. South West State Information Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Bilaal confirmed in a video update that fighting occurred in the morning and afternoon, with security forces repelling armed groups erecting roadblocks to create chaos. "The operation succeeded and the pundits were eliminated," Bilaal said, vowing action against destabilizers. Photos showed RPG use, and reports indicated troops attacked a home owned by Federal Livestock Minister Hassan. Many families began fleeing Baidoa after renewed fighting early evening, exacerbating risks for the city's 500,000 to over 600,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), who now face renewed displacement. Shabelle Media reported the exodus over the past hour. In related Ethiopian developments, a Fano envoy led by Zemene Kassie and Gashu Kindu negotiated with Gumuz militiamen in Metekel Zone, securing the release of ten Amhara women kidnapped years ago, according to a post by Zeyede1264. The Amhara Fano Natural Force (AFNF) is working to form an alliance with Gumuz and Shinasha armed groups.
