Heavy fighting erupted in Baidoa, Somalia, on February 4, 2026, between 1:46 PM and 4:46 PM UTC, after South West State security forces raided an opposition hideout in the Onodka neighbourhood, killing at least five civilians in a mortar strike on the main market and prompting an internet and communications suspension. According to local sources cited by BaidoaOnline, troops targeted a residential house sheltering armed opposition members aligned with Somali National Army officer Abdirahman Nishow. South West State forces launched the operation Wednesday afternoon, surrounding the building and exchanging heavy machine-gun fire audible across nearby districts, as reported by witnesses to BaidoaOnline. A mortar shell then struck the city's largest market, killing five people and injuring three others, local sources stated in an alert posted around 4:00 PM UTC. Authorities suspended communications citywide, citing operations against criminal gangs, while fighting concentrated in western neighbourhoods. South West State President Abdiaziz Lafta-Gareen had previously vowed to prevent armed opposition groups from operating in Baidoa. No official casualty confirmation or operation outcome was released by 4:46 PM UTC. Residents reported panic and remained indoors amid sustained gunfire. In related regional developments, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) attended a state dinner in Dubai with UK Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, as stated by the Somaliland Presidency, underscoring diplomatic ties. Separately, FANO leader Zemene Kassie arrived in Sudan from Uganda, receiving a welcome from supporters, according to a report by Habtishgreat.
