Forces loyal to the former President of Southwest State, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), launched a heavy attack today on the city of Baidoa, the capital of the Bay region.
These forces attacked the city from multiple directions, utilizing automatic weapons, explosives, and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
Eyewitnesses reported that the majority of the forces supporting the former Southwest President entered the city through the Towfiq and Livestock Market (Suuqa Xoolaha) neighborhoods.
Reports indicate that the attacking forces advanced deep into the city center, engaging in fierce combat with the National Army and Southwest State forces.
Officers from the 60th Division of the National Army confirmed that opposition forces targeted the command’s logistics center with a drone.
Officials also stated that a vehicle packed with explosives was used to target the RB Hotel, located within the city, causing damage to the building.
Local residents report that the fighting has directly affected civilian homes and some business premises in the city. Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets were seen participating in the combat after it proved difficult to drive the attacking forces out of the city.
Federal Government forces, Baidoa police, and Southwest State Special Forces now have full control of the city, while the opposing forces have retreated.
The attack occurred amidst ongoing plans to target positions held by forces loyal to Laftagareen and Al-Shabaab militia in the outskirts of Baidoa.
The fighting that took place in Baidoa this Monday marks the second such incident instigated by Laftagareen’s supporters in the city within a month; the previous attack occurred on the 3rd of this month.
However, the exact casualty figures resulting from the fighting remain unclear, beyond the fact that people were killed and others wounded.
