Heavy fighting erupted on Monday in the Somali city of Baidoa between national army units and combatants loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the former president of the South West State who was removed from power earlier this year. The clash involved the use of fighter jets and drones after thousands of local fighters attempted to re-enter the city.
Somali military officials reported that their forces successfully intercepted the advance, inflicting significant casualties and forcing the local fighters to retreat. Mohamed Ali, a senior army commander, told AFP that the opposition group utilized vehicles rigged with explosives and drone attacks during the assault.
The violence is part of an ongoing power struggle in the region. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s central government deployed troops in March to oust Laftagareen, whose administration has faced opposition from several regional states. Despite his removal, Laftagareen has persisted in attempts to regain control of the area, including the administrative capital of Baidoa. In a statement following the latest battle, he praised his fighters for their operations, claiming the objective was to restore security and stability to the city.
The humanitarian impact has been severe. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) confirmed that three individuals died during the clashes, including a healthcare worker. MSF also reported that roads leading to hospitals were blocked, hindering access to care for the wounded, and expressed alarm over the safety of medical personnel.
At Baidoa’s Bay Regional Hospital, staff treated 69 patients affected by the violence, which included five children. Dr. Elshafie Mohammed, MSF’s representative in Somalia, highlighted that this marks the third instance of intense fighting in Baidoa over the past six weeks. He condemned the repeated targeting of civilians and healthcare infrastructure.
Additional reports indicated that a medical facility suffered severe damage and an ambulance was looted. Two staff members working with aid teams were robbed, and one was injured. Previous outbreaks of violence in the city on August 17 and September 3 resulted in numerous casualties, with Bay Regional Hospital reporting 94 wounded and four deaths in August, followed by 71 treated injuries and one death in early September.
Is the central government really securing stability, or just prolonging a power struggle that leaves civilians in the crossfire?
The targeting of a healthcare worker and hospitals is absolutely disgusting. How is this violence ever going to stop?