Baidoa, the capital of Somalia’s South West State, has witnessed renewed clashes that have caused casualties and unrest in the city.
The fighting, which began late yesterday, flared up again today between South West State security forces and soldiers loyal to a commander named Abdirahman Niishow.
Eyewitnesses in Baidoa reported hearing heavy gunfire exchanged between the two sides, particularly in the Onodka neighborhood and nearby areas.
Preliminary reports from local sources suggest that the clashes stem from a land dispute, which escalated into direct confrontations between the regional administration’s forces and troops affiliated with the national army commander.
The situation in the city remains tense, and communication in Baidoa is heavily restricted, making it difficult to confirm the exact number of casualties or injuries.
A spokesperson for the South West State administration said the forces are engaging armed militias, while there has been no official statement yet from Abdirahman Niishow.
Residents are urged to stay indoors as the security situation remains volatile.
