Last night, the Southwest authority presented to the public prisoners who were captured during clashes between security forces and armed men on the outskirts of Baidoa. Officials stated that the prisoners were members of opposition groups allegedly linked to the Somali Federal Government. One of the prisoners, speaking to the media, revealed that he is originally from Buurhakaba and that he threw away his weapon once the initial gunshots were exchanged. He also stated that other fighters, armed with PKM, had retreated during the clashes. Southwest State presidential spokesman Mohamed Ali Ibrahim shared the incident on social media, explicitly stating that one of the captured fighters was among a group of youth who were given weapons in Buurhakaba and accusing them of being misled. Authorities also disclosed that some of the armed men were wearing military uniforms, which were distributed to them in order to fuel hostilities in the Southwest State regions. However, reports from the region indicate that the clashes in Baidoa resulted in casualties, including deaths and injuries, although officials have not released the exact numbers. Locals confirmed that heavy gunfire was exchanged and mortars landed in several villages in Baidoa.
