Intense fighting erupted in the South West State city of Baidoa as thousands of fighters loyal to former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen entered the area on Monday. The national army responded with military aircraft and drone operations, and a senior commander reported that government forces inflicted casualties and repelled the fighters from the city. Laftagareen’s forces reportedly arrived with vehicles carrying explosives and explosive drones.
The conflict reflects ongoing tensions between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s federal government and regional leaders who oppose his administration. The government sent troops to remove Laftagareen from his position as head of South West State earlier this year. Laftagareen has since made multiple attempts to reclaim control of the area and its administrative capital. In a statement following the violence, Laftagareen praised the fighters’ operation, framing it as an effort to maintain security and restore stability in Baidoa.
Civilian casualties mounted as fighting spread throughout the city, making it difficult for residents to flee or seek medical care. Medical organization Doctors Without Borders reported three deaths, including a healthcare worker. Bay Regional Hospital received 69 patients affected by the violence, including five children. Roadblocks prevented some injured people from reaching hospitals, and a health facility sustained severe damage while medical staff faced robbery and assault.
This represented the third major outbreak of violence in Baidoa within six weeks. Previous clashes on August 17 resulted in four deaths and 94 wounded, while fighting on September 3 produced 71 injuries and one fatality. Aid organizations expressed alarm at the repeated disruption to civilian life and healthcare services, noting the humanitarian toll of recurring military operations in the densely populated urban area.
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