South West State Imposes Travel Ban on Officials and Security Officers in Baidoa Amid Security Tensions

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BAIDOA:The Ministry of Internal Security of the South West State of Somalia has imposed a travel ban on all government officials and security officers currently in the regional capital, Baidoa.

In an official directive issued by the Office of the Minister and effective March 16, 2026, the ministry ordered that no security officer or government official is allowed to leave Baidoa until further notice.Authorities said the decision is intended to strengthen security and maintain stability across the regions of South West State.

The ministry instructed all officials and officers to fully comply with the directive, emphasizing that any travel outside the city will require formal authorization from the Ministry of Internal Security.The announcement follows circulating reports earlier in the day alleging internal clashes between different security units in Baidoa, with local sources claiming that several people were injured during the incident.

Earlier on Monday, South West State Minister of Internal Security Mohamed Bilal dismissed the reports, saying there was no internal fighting among security forces and that the situation in Baidoa remained stable.The South West administration has described the claims of clashes as misinformation and urged the public to rely only on official communication from the government.

Meanwhile, the Special Police Force of South West State has issued a separate directive warning medical facilities about the handling of injured individuals.In the order, the police command instructed all health centers across South West State that no injured person should be treated before security agencies and the medical leadership of the Special Police Force are notified.

Authorities did not provide further details on the reason behind the directive, but the instruction comes as security agencies tighten control in Baidoa following the circulating reports of unrest.