Forces from Somalia’s federal government have taken full control of key facilities and security bases in the coastal town of Barawe, in the Lower Shabelle region, displacing troops from the South West State administration who had previously overseen the area.
Residents and local sources told reporters that some South West State forces surrendered to federal troops around midnight, while others requested evacuation to the southern city of Kismayo.
The takeover followed hours of heightened tension that had raised fears of armed clashes between the two sides. The situation escalated after the federal government airlifted elite Haramcad police units into Barawe.
Witnesses say calm has since returned to the town, with normal life gradually resuming. Barawe was also among several towns in Lower Shabelle marking the Eid holiday on Friday.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the federal government is considering holding South West State’s presidential election in Barawe, the region’s official administrative capital. The move would come amid an ongoing political dispute between the federal leadership, based in Villa Somalia, and South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
There has been no official confirmation from either side regarding the reported election plans. However, the developments in Barawe point to a potential shift in the political dynamics of South West State.
