On Thursday, the Defense Ministry of Somalia reaffirmed that its Federal Forces together with Southwest State Security forces utterly defeated armed militiamen loyal to the former Southwest State President, Abdiaisis Hassan Mohamed Laftagaren that launched an attack on Baidoa, supported by Al-Shabab fighters that colluded with Laftagareb’s forces as described by the defense ministry. The fighting broke out at 4:15 on Thursday morning after these groups launched an attack on the city, a statement from the defense ministry said.
The Federal Forces thwarted the attack which commenced with explosions with the intent of terrorizing the public, the statement from the defense ministry said. Final assessments are underway to ascertain the number of casualties inflicted upon the group that launched the attack, noting that further information will be provided once information gathering is wrapped up.
The fighting in Baidoa comes at a time when the city is facing security challenges where Somali Government Federal Forces are battling with troops loyal to the former Southwest State President, Abdiasis Laftagaren. Southwest State administration Spokesman, Mr. Mohamed Sheikh Abdullahi “Hayow” has confirmed that Federal Troops together with Southwest State security forces have successfully foiled an attack launched by Al-Shabab fighters on Baidoa city, the provincial capital, on Thursday.
He further disclosed that Al-Shabab fighters attempted to launch a pre-dawn raid on the city, accusing the group of intending to terrorize the public, and destabilize the security. Mohamed Sheikh Abdullahi said, “This morning, the peace-rejecting Al-Shabab group launched a senseless attack on the city of Biadoa, with the aim of destabilizing the community’s security.” He further revealed that the Federal Forces together with security forces from Southwest State plus the support of Baidoa residents have thwarted the raid successfully.
He sent a message to Al-Shabab, stating that they would not hope to destabilize the security in Baidoa. He said, “Abandon any hope or intention of disrupting Baidoa or attacking its people. Let the action taken against you today by the National Army serve a lesson to you all.” On the other hand, the Spokesman called on the locals in Baidoa to remain calm, reopen their trading posts and proceed with their daily work.
He said, “We are telling the public to remain calm, open their businesses and carry on with their daily day activities.” Southwest State administration expressed its commitment to bolster the security and the stability of the community, noting further that anyone who tries to attack the city will face its consequences. The statement comes at a time when armed clashes erupted between Somali Federal Government Forces and troops loyal to the ousted Southwest State President, further stating that they successfully thwarted the attack on the city.
