Children among those injured as heavy fighting hits Baidoa

Wednesday 30 Sep 2026 {HMC} Young children are among those injured in heavy fighting that broke out in Baidoa yesterday, aid agencies said, as tensions rise in the in southwest city of Somalia.

The violence also killed a community health worker, injured patients and medical staff, and damaged a hospital supported by SOS Children’s Villages.

BAIDOA, SOMALIA, 29 September 2026 – Young children are among those injured in heavy fighting that broke out in Baidoa yesterday, aid agencies said, as tensions rise in the in southwest city of Somalia.

The violence also killed a community health worker, injured patients and medical staff, and damaged a hospital supported by SOS Children’s Villages.

An explosion reportedly caused by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Baidoa District Hospital caused severe injuries to medical staff, patients and caretakers.

Healthcare officials have confirmed that young girls, including a two-year-old, were admitted and are receiving treatment.

Additionally, the blast also damaged the maternity ward, outpatient department, waiting and consultation areas, water facilities, the security gate, and an ambulance.

Part of the roof also caved in from impact, trapping patients and staff inside the hospital.

The Joining Forces, an alliance of child-focused organizations in Somalia including Save the Children, World Vision, Plan International and SOS Children’s Villages, is calling on all parties to protect children and civilians and to allow safe humanitarian access.

Despite the damage, SOS Children’s Villages health teams continued to treat people arriving with injuries. Long queues of injured patients were reported around midday yesterday, with patients needing critical care referred to other health facilities.

Abdikadir Dakane, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Somalia, said:

“Yesterday’s explosion has caused severe damage to our hospital and injured patients, healthcare workers and carers. A mortar also struck the home of one of our community health workers, who later died from his injuries.

This happened while the hospital is under significant pressure from the ongoing malnutrition crisis, including caring for severely malnourished children receiving critical treatment.

“We condemn attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities such as hospitals, schools and distribution sites.

We urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect international humanitarian law, especially when parts of the region face a risk of famine.”

Sadia Allin, Country Director, Plan International, said:

“Somali children deserve peace. They deserve dignity. They deserve to live free from war and fear. At this critical time, we must reaffirm a simple and fundamental principle: children must never be the victims of conflict. Their rights, safety, dignity, and wellbeing must be protected at all times, without exceptions.”

Binyam Gebru, Save the Children’s Acting Country Director for Somalia, said:

“We are deeply concerned by yesterday’s fighting in Baidoa. We know that at least 17 children were injured and are receiving treatment in various hospitals according to reports from our teams on the ground. Three health facilities were reportedly damaged during the clashes, and an ambulance was seized.

Children in Baidoa are already facing a severe hunger crisis, and many depend on health facilities for treatment of malnutrition. When those facilities are damaged, children lose a lifeline. We urge all parties to protect children and civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and allow humanitarian organizations to reach families in need safely.”

The violence comes as Baidoa faces a deepening hunger crisis. The city is home to an estimated 800,000 displaced people, nearly half of its total population.

According to the latest the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, published last week, nearly 26,000 displaced people in Baidoa are projected to face Catastrophic (IPC Phase 5) levels of hunger between October and December, just one step away from famine, as families already struggling with drought brace for looming El Niño-induced heavy rains and flooding.

Acute malnutrition among children in the city’s displacement sites is expected to worsen, and the IPC warns that displaced families in Baidoa face a risk of famine if flooding and displacement are more severe than expected and assistance remains insufficient.

Joining Forces calls on all parties to protect children and civilians in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. Hospitals, schools, homes, and humanitarian workers must never be targeted.

Humanitarian organizations need safe and unimpeded access so that children and families in Baidoa can reach the food, health, and nutrition services they depend on.

END.