Heavy Fighting Erupts in Baidoa Amid Political Dispute

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BAIDOA: Heavy fighting has erupted in Baidoa, the capital of Somalia’s South West State, with rival forces exchanging gunfire and the federal government and regional authorities giving different accounts of who was behind the clashes.

Residents reported explosions and heavy gunfire in several parts of the city on Monday morning as forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen confronted forces supporting the administration led by Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe.

Somalia’s Defence Ministry said the attack was carried out by forces associated with Mr Laftagareen together with fighters from Al-Shabaab, and said government and South West forces had repelled the assault.

The South West administration also said Al-Shabaab fighters were involved, but described the other attackers as militia linked to forces that previously served under Mr Laftagareen.

Neither account could be independently verified, and it remained unclear which side had control of the areas where the fighting took place. Local reports said drones may also have been used, although the identity of those operating them and any damage caused by the reported strikes had not been independently established.

The fighting is the latest episode in a political and military dispute over control of South West State. Federal forces took control of Baidoa in March after Mr Laftagareen left office, while Mr Madobe subsequently became the head of the regional administration with federal government backing.

For several months, forces loyal to Mr Laftagareen have remained opposed to the federal-backed administration. The dispute has repeatedly turned violent, with major clashes reported in Baidoa earlier in September and in August.

The earlier September fighting displaced more than 14,000 people, according to UNHCR, highlighting the wider humanitarian consequences of the political confrontation in a city that is also a major centre for humanitarian operations and hosts large numbers of people displaced by conflict and drought.

The federal government has repeatedly accused forces aligned with Mr Laftagareen of working with Al-Shabaab during attacks on Baidoa. Mr Laftagareen has denied having an alliance with the militant group.

The latest violence comes as political tensions remain unresolved over the leadership and future administration of South West State. With fighting taking place inside a major urban centre, residents and humanitarian organisations face renewed concerns over security, access and possible displacement.

Casualty figures from Monday’s fighting were not immediately independently confirmed, and the situation remained fluid as reports from the rival sides continued to differ.