Heavy fighting erupted in Somalia’s regional capital Baidoa on Friday after forces loyal to ousted Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen entered inside the city, witnesses told APA over the weekend.
No casualty figure received yet due to difficult battlefield situations.
The fighting comes at a critical moment for the region, which is scheduled to hold elections for the Speaker of Parliament and the President of Southwest State later this week.
Witnesses confirmed that intense exchanges of gunfire has continued on Saturday and the use of heavy weapons in several parts of city.
Residents said armed fighters aligned with Laftagareen advanced into the city early on Friday, leading to confrontations with forces supporting the current regional authorities. The extent of territorial control held by either side was not immediately clear.
Political tensions have remained high in Southwest State since March 30, when Laftagareen was removed from office following weeks of escalating disputes and a federal government-backed security operation in Baidoa.
His removal deepened divisions within the region, with supporters denouncing the move as illegitimate while opponents argued it was necessary to resolve a prolonged political crisis.
The latest violence has raised concerns over the security environment ahead of the planned elections, which are seen as crucial for determining the future leadership of the strategically important federal member state.
Southwest State, one of Somalia’s federal member states, has frequently experienced political disputes and security challenges, with Baidoa serving as a key political and administrative centre in the country’s southwest.
MG/as/APA