The battle in Baydhaba resulted in the death of 70 militants

Baydhaba (Caasimada Online) – The administration of South West Somalia has stated that more than 70 fighters were killed in a heavy battle that took place on Monday in the city of Baydhaba, which began in the early morning.

A press release issued by the South West administration on Monday evening stated that the federal government forces and the administration's troops repelled an attack they claimed was launched by Al-Shabaab fighters who were accompanied by forces supporting the former president of South West, Abdicasis Hassan Mohamed Lafta-gareen.

The administration stated that more than 70 fighters were killed in the battle, and that some of the deceased were foreigners.

However, the death toll reported by the administration and the identification of those said to be foreigners has not been independently verified.

The Ministry of Defense of Somalia also stated that the attacking forces suffered heavy losses, but did not disclose an official death toll.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for the faction supporting Lafta-gareen stated that their forces launched an attack on positions held by the South West forces in the city.

This statement contrasts with the report from the South West administration, as both sides are reporting differently on who started the battle and how the clash erupted.

The battle on Monday is the latest in a series of confrontations that have occurred in Baydhaba in recent months, which are rooted in a political dispute that later transformed into a military struggle over the control of the city and the South West administration.

On August 17, heavy fighting broke out in Baydhaba after forces loyal to Lafta-gareen entered the city. Government troops later expelled those forces, while the Ministry of Defense reported that nearly 30 of the attackers were killed.

Another battle occurred on September 3 on the outskirts of Baydhaba. The Ministry of Defense then stated that forces loyal to Lafta-gareen and Al-Shabaab fighters participated in the attack, although the claim regarding Al-Shabaab has not been independently verified.

The Bay Region Hospital received 71 injured individuals from that battle, including 15 women, while at least one civilian death has been confirmed.

The recurrence of the battles has raised particular concern in Baydhaba, which is the administrative center of South West State and home to hundreds of thousands of people displaced by conflicts and droughts in other parts of the country.

Monday's fighting indicates that the initial political dispute has not yet been resolved and has now entered a phase where both sides are repeatedly attempting to assert military control over Baydhaba.