US EditionSomali national army takes control of part of Baidoa, largest city in South West state
The resignation follows a federal military takeover amid constitutional disputes and election tensions, with many residents fleeing and aid agencies pausing operations, officials said.
- On Monday, Somalia's national army seized control of parts of Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West state, following clashes with regional forces. Captain Osman Nur confirmed federal troops currently hold most of the city.
- Relations between the federal government in Mogadishu and South West state worsened after officials pushed through constitutional amendments opposed by regional leaders. Regional officials formally severed ties with Mogadishu two weeks ago, escalating tensions within the Horn of Africa.
- Residents have largely fled Baidoa over the past week and aid agencies suspended their activities fearing clashes. "Federal forces have taken over Baidoa,... but it looks like a ghost town," local elder Adan Hussein told Reuters.
- Somalia's defense ministry stated on Twitter that the army was conducting operations against Shabaab when attacked by armed militias on Monday. The military repelled the assault, capturing some militia members while maintaining control of most areas.
- This conflict illustrates the instability within the Horn of Africa nation's fragile federal system. South West state's interior minister, Abdullahi Haji Hassan, remains unreachable for comment on the ongoing standoff.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Somali army takes control of strategic city, regional leader resigns
Somalia's national army took control of the biggest city in South West state on Monday, prompting the regional leader to resign two weeks after his administration said it was severing ties with the federal government.
In Somalia, it has been several weeks since the torch burned between the federal authorities and those of the South-West State, due to a highly contested constitutional reform. Latest episodes of this crisis: the Somali army took control of the city of Baidoa on Monday after brief fighting against forces loyal to the President of the South-West State, while the latter announced his resignation on his Facebook account.
Somali national army takes control of part of biggest city in South West state
MOGADISHU, March 30 - Somalia's national army has taken control of part of the biggest city in South West state, two weeks after regional officials said they were severing ties with the federal government in the capital Mogadishu, local residents said. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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