Full Breakdown
Clashes Erupt in Baidoa Over Control of the City
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Clashes in Baidoa Escalate Over Control of City
Intense fighting broke out in Baidoa, the administrative capital of Somalia’s South West State, when thousands of fighters loyal to the ousted regional president entered the city on Monday. Government troops responded with fighter jets and drones, and the combat continued throughout the day, trapping civilians and blocking access to hospitals.
Background to the Conflict
In March, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government deployed troops to remove Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen from the regional presidency. Laftagareen has repeatedly attempted to retake Baidoa, and the latest assault marks the third outbreak of violence in the city within the past six weeks.
Official Statements & Responses
The medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) expressed concern that wounded civilians could not reach treatment. MSF’s Somalia representative Dr Elshafie Mohammed warned that the repeated fighting jeopardizes civilian safety and health services.
Humanitarian Impact
MSF reported three deaths, including a healthcare worker, and confirmed that 69 patients—five of them children—were treated for injuries related to the clashes. A health facility sustained severe damage, an ambulance was looted, and two MSF staff members were robbed, with one injured. Roads leading to Baidoa’s Bay Regional Hospital remained blocked, further limiting access to care.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is the third time in six weeks that fighting has erupted in Baidoa, with devastating consequences for civilians,” — Dr Elshafie Mohammed