Somali federal forces and South West State Darwish units have established new security positions on the outskirts of Baidoa as authorities move to strengthen the city’s defences following recent attacks.
Sources in Bay region told Mustaqbal Media that the new positions were established “following a security meeting held in Baidoa on Monday night between federal and South West State security officials” .
The deployment is part of a new security plan aimed at preventing further attacks targeting Baidoa, the administrative centre of South West State. The forces have reportedly been placed on heightened alert, while movement of vehicles has been restricted during early morning and nighttime hours.
Security officials are said to have agreed on “measures to counter the attacks that have increased in and around Baidoa in recent months” . The authorities have described the attacks as “a growing challenge to the city’s security and stability” .
The latest security measures follow fighting that broke out in Baidoa and its outskirts on Monday morning. The Somali military said its forces, supported by South West State troops, had repelled an attack and inflicted casualties on the attackers.
Meanwhile, the reported death toll from Monday’s fighting has continued to rise. Sources said additional bodies, including those of combatants from both sides and civilians, have been recovered from areas outside Baidoa.
Authorities have not yet released an official figure for the total number of casualties from the latest clashes.
Mustaqbal
