Fierce clashes between Somali government forces and opposition fighters in the strategic city of Baidoa have killed dozens of people, including at least four civilians, as tensions between the federal government and South West State escalate.
The fighting erupted on Monday after militia loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen attacked government positions on the outskirts of Baidoa.
Somalia’s federal government accused Laftagareen’s forces of fighting alongside al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group that has waged a long-running insurgency in the country.
“We have confirmed that they were accompanied by al-Shabaab. We found al-Shabaab fighters who were killed in the battle and we also captured some of them alive,” South West State Internal Security Minister Isak Mohamed Korsaar said.
Calm returned to Baidoa on Tuesday, with government troops inspecting buildings and vehicles damaged during the fighting and patrolling major streets.
Residents cautiously ventured out of their homes, although security forces maintained a heavy presence in strategic parts of the city.
Hospital officials said nearly 100 people were wounded in the clashes, placing additional strain on health facilities already struggling to cope with the needs of local residents and displaced people.
Baidoa is home to more than half a million Somalis displaced by conflict, drought and hunger in other parts of the country.
The latest violence comes as Somalia’s federal government continues its struggle against the more than two-decade-long al-Shabaab insurgency while also facing growing armed resistance from some regional administrations.
The alleged involvement of al-Shabaab has raised concerns that the militant group may have coordinated Monday’s offensive with forces loyal to Laftagareen.
Laftagareen governed South West State for more than seven years before severing ties with Mogadishu in March following a dispute over controversial constitutional amendments backed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
The political dispute triggered clashes in several parts of the country. Government forces subsequently seized control of Baidoa, prompting Laftagareen to resign.
Since then, fighters loyal to the former president have launched repeated attacks on the city, including an unsuccessful attempt to retake control of South West State in May.
The latest fighting underscores the deepening political and security tensions threatening stability in one of Somalia’s key regional centres.
