Somalia federal troops and armed opposition clash in Baidoa city
Federal troops and Laftagareen-aligned fighters both claimed gains as heavy weapons fire and explosions left at least four civilians dead, hospital officials said.
- On Monday, Somalia's federal troops clashed with armed opposition groups in Baidoa city centre, marking heavy fighting in the major urban hub.
- Federal forces seized control of Baidoa in March, prompting the resignation of South West state leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and triggering months of simmering tension.
- Shopkeeper Farah Nur reported militias entered from two sides challenging two battalions of federal military; federal forces deployed heavy weapons, and at least two civilians were killed by stray bullets.
- Hassan Mohamed, a spokesperson for Laftagareen, claimed on Facebook opposition troops captured Baidoa, while Captain Osman Abdullahi, a federal military officer, stated, "The armed militias attacked Baidoa this morning, we are pushing them back."
- Baidoa hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced people, and a July survey by Medecins Sans Frontieres found one in four children at displacement sites suffer severe malnutrition amid ongoing international peacekeeping presence.
39 Articles
39 Articles
Baidoa clashes kill four civilians as Somalia forces repel militia attack
Militias and government troops fought for hours in Baidoa, leaving civilians dead and scores injured. The clashes exposed how South West's political feud is deepening insecurity and overwhelming fragile health services.
The Toronto Star
Fighting in southwestern Somalia kills dozens of people, including 4 civilians
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Hours of fierce fighting between government troops and militias that killed dozens of combatants in Somalia’s southwestern city of Baidoa also left at least four civilians dead and 98 others wounded, a hospital official said Tuesday.
Dozens killed in attack on Somali regional capital
Al-Shabaab and fighters loyal to a former South West State president used two explosives-laden vehicles, the authorities have said Somali federal troops have driven armed groups out of the administrative capital of the country’s South West State following hours of fierce fighting that killed 30 attackers, the Defense Ministry has said. The ministry said the...
Somali army repels troops loyal to ousted leader and Islamist insurgents
Somali national forces repelled an assault by troops loyal to an ousted regional leader and Islamist insurgents on Monday over control of the key city of Baidoa. The assault involved "vehicles laden with explosives" according to the government, which said its troops killed nearly 30 militants in their response. Details by Laurent Berstecher.
Africa News
Mwanzo TVSomalia clashes with regional forces over control of key city
Somali national forces clashed with troops loyal to an ousted regional leader on Monday over control of a key city, the government said, accusing him of allying with Islamist insurgents
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