Heavy Fighting Erupts in Baidoa, Somalia
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Heavy fighting erupted late Wednesday night in Baidoa, the capital of Somalia’s Southwest state, after forces loyal to ousted former Southwest President Abdiazis Laftagaren attacked positions held by the Somali National Army.
Laftagaren’s forces launched the assault from the northern outskirts of Baidoa, targeting military bases occupied by the Turkish-trained Gorgor Special Forces and military police. The attack triggered prolonged exchanges of gunfire centered in the Horseed neighborhood.
The crack of gunfire and repeated explosions from heavy weapons echoed across Baidoa throughout the night as both sides exchanged fire, awakening residents and spreading panic across a city that has increasingly become an active frontline in recent months.
Baidoa is now facing persistent security pressure, with both Al-Shabaab insurgents and forces allied to Laftagaren positioned around different directions of the town and regularly launching attacks against security forces inside the city.
The Southwest administration has not yet commented on the attack, the reported casualties, or whether it intends to introduce additional security measures.
The latest assault is part of a series of attacks carried out by forces loyal to Laftagaren since he was ousted in late March during a federal military offensive. His fighters have repeatedly launched overnight assaults on Baidoa.
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