The Somali National Army has claimed success in fighting that broke out early Monday in and around Baidoa, saying government forces and South West State Darwish troops repelled an attack on the city.
In a statement, the Somali Army Command said the clashes resulted in casualties, including deaths and injuries, as well as property damage. The command did not provide specific figures for the casualties.
According to the military, Somali National Army forces, working alongside South West State Darwish units, “prevented the attackers from advancing into Baidoa and inflicted casualties on fighters identified by the authorities as members of Al-Shabaab” .
The Army Command further claimed that the bodies of some of the attackers remained on “the outskirts of Baidoa following the fighting” .
Security operations were reportedly continuing in areas outside the city as government forces sought to secure the outskirts and prevent further attacks.
The latest clashes come amid heightened security concerns in Baidoa, where the South West State administration has faced armed opposition and growing political tensions involving forces aligned with the former regional administration.
The claims by the Somali military could not be independently verified, and no detailed statement on the reported casualties has been provided by the other side.
Mustaqbal
