South West State regional forces in Baidoa defeated more than 150 federal-backed fighters on Thursday, thwarting an alleged secret plot by Somalia’s Federal Government to oust President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, according to local sources cited by BaidoaOnline. The fighters, reportedly recruited in Baidoa under the direction of Federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, aimed to destabilize the city and undermine Laftagareen’s administration, the sources stated. Regional security forces neutralized the group swiftly, causing the federal influence in Baidoa to collapse. President Laftagareen has since initiated steps to dismantle remaining federal-aligned elements in the city, consolidating regional control, as reported by sources familiar with the developments. The failed mission sought to create widespread insecurity in Baidoa to force Laftagareen from office, marking a significant setback for the Federal Government’s influence in South West State, according to the BaidoaOnline report.
