More Federal Troops Head to Baidoa as Laftagareen Forces Resist Government Offensive

Baidoa (WDN) — The Federal Government is reportedly preparing to deploy additional troops to Baydhaba as fighting and political tensions intensify between forces backing South West State President Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madobe) and fighters loyal to former South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.

People familiar with the situation say the planned deployment follows a telephone conversation between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Aden Madobe focused on the deteriorating security situation around Baidoa and the activities of opposition forces.

According to the sources, Hassan Sheikh has instructed the Somali National Army command to reinforce federal troops already stationed in and around the city and prepare an operation aimed at pushing opposition forces farther from positions used to organize attacks.

The reported plan comes after repeated clashes around Baidoa, including a major attack on September 3 that was repelled by federal and South West forces.