Some news sites and social media accounts went further, claiming that the conflict across Southwest State "was part of a foreign-funded campaign” allegedly "facilitated by Ethiopia and Kenya”.

These posts and the AI-altered photo garnered thousands of views across various platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. The images were also shared by accounts supportive of Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madobe) and the Somali Federal Government.

The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) was alerted to the images by local journalists and ordinary citizens, prompting SJS to investigate them using open-source methods.

SJS found that the images used to support the claims were AI-altered versions of original photographs published by Al Jazeera English in 2016. In the original photographs, Al-Shabaab leader Hassan Yaqub Ali was seen standing to the left of the group’s spokesperson, Ali Mohamud Raage. However, in the AI-altered version, the two men wearing black turbans had been re-positioned, and their faces had been brightened, revealing the sloppy use of AI.

The original Al Jazeera photographs were taken in central Somalia in November 2016.

At the time of Al Jazeera reporting, Hassan Yakub Ali was described as Al-Shabaab’s governor in the Galguduud region.

The altered image was also placed against a background featuring a monument in Diinsoor, located in the centre of the town’s market. The monument image was taken from a video clip posted on social media on 16 October, the same day media reported that pro-Laftagareen forces had captured the town.

Diinsoor is among at least four towns in Southwest State that pro-Laftagareen forces have reportedly recaptured in recent weeks.

Why the context is important?

The context in which these images circulated in the local media is also important.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Southwest State, the sides involving have accused each other of having the backing of foreign actors and terrorist groups in their ranks.

In late March 2026, Somali Federal Government forces and local clan militias launched attacks in Baidoa, forcing then Southwest State president Abdiaziz Laftagareen’s administration to flee the city. Laftagareen resigned on 30 March, 2026.

In June, the Federal Government installed Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madobe), the former Speaker of the Federal Parliament’s Lower House, as the new regional leader, prompting pro-Laftagareen forces to launch attacks on Baidoa.

Turkish fighter jets were reportedly deployed to target locations near Baidoa to repel the attacks and reinforce Aden Madobe’s administration and Federal Government forces.

Somali government officials and members of the Aden Madobe administration have repeatedly accused pro-Laftagareen forces of using Al-Shabaab in the conflict, an allegation that Laftagareen’s side has rejected.

In late March, Laftagareen himself accused the Federal Government of collaborating with Al-Shabaab during the initial offensive to take Baidoa from his administration.

Officials and supporters on both sides continue to use strong accusations, and at times inflammatory language, to advance their arguments and claim victories over their opponents. Such claims and counterclaims are frequently disseminated through the media.

Civilian impact and the risks of AI-manipulated photos

Armed clashes in Southwest State continue to cause civilian casualties, with the humanitarian toll remaining severe.

According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which supports Bay Regional Hospital, 234 civilian casualties, including 49 women and 27 children, have been recorded since 17 August. At least nine civilians have reportedly died, including a local journalist and a healthcare worker.

The use of AI-generated and AI-altered images to support serious accusations during an armed conflict increases the risk of misinformation, heightens tensions, and may further inflame hostilities. When manipulated images are presented as authentic evidence of the involvement of armed groups or foreign actors, they can mislead the public, undermine trust in credible reporting, and contribute to further polarisation.

SJS notes that the circulation of such images underscores the importance for the local media and their editors of verifying visual evidence before publication, particularly when claims relate to armed conflict, alleged terrorist involvement, or foreign interference. Media stations, their journalists and editors also need to upgrade their training and verification tools in order to detect AI content before publishing them as a factual information