Somalia’s Ministry of Defence says more than 30 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed during early morning fighting in Baidoa, the capital of Southwest State.
In a statement, the ministry said the Somali National Army and Southwest State’s Darwish forces repelled an assault that it claimed was aimed at destabilizing security in the city.
“More than 30 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed after the Somali National Army and Southwest State Darwish forces repelled an early morning assault aimed at destabilizing security in Baidoa,” Somalia’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The ministry described the attackers as Al-Shabaab militants. However, forces loyal to former Southwest President Abdiaziz Laftagareen have claimed responsibility for the offensive, presenting a different account of the fighting.
Troops aligned with Laftagareen have launched several attacks around the outskirts of Baidoa in recent months, leading to repeated clashes with federal and Southwest State security forces.
The federal government of Somalia indicated that ensuring security in Baidoa remains crucial because clashes like this can quickly endanger civilians, disrupt essential services, and undermine public confidence in local governance.
Mustaqbal
