Al-Shabaab blockade of Baidoa an ‘act of dying horse,’ Somali gov’t says

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BAIDOA: Somali government has condemned the week-long blockade by the militant group Al-Shabaab in Baidoa amid fears that the move could escalate a humanitarian crisis in the southwestern region.

Villa Somalia chief of staff Hussein Sheikh Mohamud said the blockade was ‘the last kicks of a dying horse’ and urged the people of Badoa and the entire South West state to ‘unite against the group.’

Sources said Al-Shabaab imposed the blockade on July 11 and has sustained its restrictions barring vehicles to and from the town. Traders have complained that supplies to the town have since ceased pushing food prices higher.

Baidoa is already struggling with an IDP crisis as more than one million people driven from their homes by hunger and Al-Shabaab are pitched in make-shift tents across the city.

Al-Shabaab has maintained its grip in all three regions of South West state namely Lower Shabelle, Bay and Bakool.

The blockade comes ahead of an expected second phase of the government-led operations against Al-Shabaab focusing on the southern belt which covers South West and Jubaland states.