Turjumaad ayaa la diyaarinayaa

Baidoa (WDN) – The city of Baidoa has returned to relative calm after fierce fighting erupted early Friday morning between forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and troops of the Federal Government of Somalia stationed in the regional capital.

The confrontation, which lasted for more than an hour, unfolded across several parts of the city, with heavy gunfire and military movements reported in multiple neighborhoods. While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, preliminary reports indicate that both sides suffered deaths and injuries during the clashes.

According to sources in Baidoa, forces aligned with Laftagareen later withdrew from the city, allowing security conditions to gradually stabilize. The Somali National Army’s 60th Division announced that the security situation in Baidoa is now under control and that federal forces maintain full authority over the city.

Bay Regional Police Commander Colonel Sadiq Doodishe told local media that what he described as “armed insurgent elements” launched an attack on Baidoa in the early hours of the morning, but were swiftly repelled by government forces. “Our security forces successfully thwarted the attack against Baidoa,” Doodishe said. “Operations are ongoing to evacuate the wounded and recover the bodies of those involved in the assault.”