World News
Clashes erupt between Somali government troops and militias near Baidoa
At least one civilian died and two dozen were injured as fighting resumed over political control of South West state.
The short version
- Heavy fighting broke out on the outskirts of Baidoa between Somali government forces and allied militia fighters.
- The clashes caused residents to flee residential areas, resulting in at least one reported civilian death and 24 injuries at a local hospital.
- The violence marks the latest escalation in a power dispute following the resignation of the regional president earlier this year.
- Total casualties and the full extent of the fighting remain unconfirmed by official government channels.
Key facts
- Fighting broke out early Thursday on the outskirts of Baidoa, a city that hosts over half a million displaced people.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- Somalia's Defense Ministry claimed troops responded to an attack by fighters loyal to former South West state President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and al-Shabab.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- A hospital official at Bay Regional Hospital reported receiving 24 wounded individuals and one deceased civilian.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- Active clashes subsided by early afternoon, with federal forces patrolling local streets.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- The dispute follows federal forces taking control of Baidoa on March 30, which led to the resignation of Laftagareen, who had led the state since 2018.[Associated Press · ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- Official government figures for total casualties and the full territorial extent of the fighting have not been released.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Sources
- Renewed clashes erupt in southwestern Somalia between government and militiasAssociated Press
- Renewed clashes erupt in southwestern Somalia between government and militiasABC News - International