Somalia federal troops, armed opposition clash in Baidoa city
Fresh fighting threatens to worsen a dire humanitarian crisis in Baidoa, home to hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
Baidoa, a city in South West state of Somalia, is currently witnessing intense clashes between federal troops and armed opposition groups, according to reports from Reuters. The city, which serves as the administrative capital of the region, is known for hosting international peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies. With a population of over a million, Baidoa is one of the largest cities in Somalia.
The fighting erupted after militias loyal to the former Baidoa president entered the city from two sides, challenging two battalions of federal military. Local resident Farah Nur, who spoke to Reuters, described the situation as escalating, stating that federal forces have been using heavy weapons. He reported at least two civilians killed and several others injured in the crossfire.
The federal troops had taken control of the city in March, which led to South West state leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen resigning. Laftagareen's spokesman, Hassan Mohamed, claimed in a post on Facebook that his troops had captured Baidoa and urged the federal forces to surrender. However, this claim could not be independently verified.
Captain Osman Abdullahi, a Somalia federal military officer, also confirmed the fighting to Reuters. He stated that federal forces were pushing back the armed militias, but warned that there were casualties as stray bullets entered houses.
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