Sunday 15,March 2026 {HMC} Armed fighters aligned with opposition figures and clan leaders clashed Saturday with Southwest state security forces in Qansahdhere district of Bay region, with residents reporting hours of heavy gunfire and mounting tension.
Local sources said both heavy and light weapons were used in the fighting, which began earlier in the day and continued for several hours. Casualties were reported on both sides, though exact figures have not been independently confirmed.
Preliminary reports indicate that the opposition-aligned forces eventually took control of the town after prolonged exchanges. There has been no official statement from the Southwest administration or representatives of the opposing group.
Residents described a tense and uncertain situation, with many shuttered businesses and normal activity disrupted. Some families began leaving neighborhoods where clashes were concentrated, fearing renewed violence.
The confrontation follows days of heightened military movements in Bay region, where opposition groups have been mobilizing to challenge the leadership of the South West administration.
Southwest state is expected to hold presidential elections in the coming weeks, amid broader national debate over the electoral framework. The federal government has been advocating direct elections in regional states aligned with Mogadishu, a position that has drawn criticism from some opposition figures.
