The situation in Somalia’s South West regional state is in a state of flux as troops backing the federally backed administration and forces loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan, also known as Laftagareen, make competing claims of victory and occupying Baidoa.
This is after heavy fighting in the early morning of Monday.
The fighting began after Laftagareen’s forces attacked positions held by the national army with gunfire and explosions across Baidoa, the southwestern city of Somalia, about 250 kilometers west of Mogadishu.
The fighting left an undisclosed number of fatalities on both sides and also claimed the lives of civilians. The exact number of casualties has not been independently verified.
The spokesman of Laftagareen’s forces Ugas Hassan said his men had taken full control of Baidoa and called on residents in the city to celebrate the victory and extend a hero’s welcome to the fighters.
“The South West State Darwish forces have fully taken control of Baidoa and restored its freedom and dignity,” the spokesman said.
He also urged residents to return to the streets, saying they had nothing to fear as the fighters would work to restore order and the South West State administration.
Government military officials, however, said their forces had successfully defended their positions and repelled the attack by forces loyal to Laftagareen.
The conflicting claims could not be independently verified, and the situation in Baidoa has remained tense. Residents reported sporadic gunfire in some parts of the city after the main clashes, while many people remained indoors amid fears that fighting could resume.
The latest violence is part of a prolonged political and security dispute over control of South West State. Laftagareen was removed from office in March by the federal government which deepened the political confrontation between the rival camps.
MG/as/APA