Today, a column of heavy Somali National Army (SNA) trucks entered the heart of Baidoa, carrying armed personnel and military equipment. The operation, which included dozens of large “dabaabado” (military cargo trucks), was one of the most visible army deployments in recent weeks.
However, local residents who lined the streets did not respond with the usual chants, clapping, or flag-waving often seen during government security operations. Instead, eyewitnesses reported a pervasive sense of indifference.
“They drove past slowly, but people just stood still—no smiles, no slogans, no fear. It was like watching a ghost procession,” said Ali Hassan, a shopkeeper near the main road. “There was no connection.”
The reasons for the muted reaction remain unclear. Some speculate it reflects growing wariness after repeated Al-Shabaab infiltrations, while others see it as quiet frustration with security failures. Neither the Ministry of Defense nor the SNA spokesperson has issued a statement on the purpose of the convoy.
Military analysts note that while the absence of hostility is not a crisis, the lack of public enthusiasm could signal eroding trust between the army and civilians in contested urban zones.
The convoy continued toward the city’s administrative district, and no clashes or arrests have been reported.