Heavy fighting broke out in the Somali city of Baidoa on Monday, involving fighter jets and drones. The clashes resulted in at least three people being killed, including a healthcare worker, and 69 injured. Local authorities reported that around 2,000 to 3,000 fighters loyal to ousted governor Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen launched an attack on the city. The fighting was intense, with residents describing it as the most severe Baidoa has experienced recently.
The conflict in Baidoa is part of a larger struggle for control in Somalia. Several states in the country are opposed to control by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's government. In March, his government sent troops to oust Laftagareen, the head of South West State. Laftagareen has since launched repeated attempts to retake the region and its main city, Baidoa. The latest fighting is a continuation of this power struggle.
According to local resident Hussein Abdifatah, the fighting was widespread, with heavy clashes occurring throughout the day. He reported that most civilians were having difficulty fleeing the area, as both sides were fighting everywhere. There were numerous explosions, but Abdifatah was unsure what was causing them or who was responsible for the bombing.
A senior army commander in Baidoa, Mohamed Ali, stated that the rebels entered the city from multiple directions, using vehicles loaded with explosives and explosive drones. The national army confronted them, inflicting heavy casualties and driving them out of the city. However, a spokesperson for Laftagareen's forces denied government claims that they were fighting alongside Al-Shabaab, an Islamist insurgent group.
Turkey has emerged as a key supporter of President Mohamud's government and has deployed fighter jets in the country. Residents reported missile attacks from the Turkish jets on the city's outskirts. A member of the presidential palace guard said "kamikaze drones" were hitting their forces, resulting in several wounded. The situation had calmed down by mid-afternoon, but the extent of casualties and damage was still unknown.
The ousted governor, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, was a vocal opponent of President Mohamud's attempts to move Somalia towards democratic elections. Mohamud's government has been criticized for extending his mandate by a year as part of the reform process. Elshafie Mohammed, MSF country representative in Somalia, expressed concern about the devastating consequences for civilians, stating that this was the third time in six weeks that fighting had erupted in Baidoa.
The fighting has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Baidoa. Doctors Without Borders reported that a health facility was severely damaged, and many injured may have been unable to reach health facilities on Monday. The situation remains uncertain, with the extent of casualties and damage yet to be assessed.
Key points
- At least three people killed in clashes involving fighter jets and drones in Baidoa
- Turkey has deployed fighter jets in support of President Mohamud's government
- The conflict is part of a larger struggle for control in Somalia between President Mohamud's government and ousted governor Laftagareen's forces
