Somali army clashes with local forces for control of Baidoa
The latest outbreak of fighting in the South West State city stranded civilians unable to flee or reach hospitals.
Intense clashes have broken out in the Somali city of Baidoa between government forces and fighters loyal to the ousted regional president.
Fighter jets and drones were reported as the hostilities flared on Monday in the South West State city after thousands of local fighters entered the city in the morning. Violence has plagued the city in recent weeks as the army seeks to maintain the control it wrested earlier this year.
“The national army confronted them, inflicted heavy casualties and drove them out of the city,” senior army commander Mohamed Ali said, according to the AFP news agency. He added that the local fighters had vehicles loaded with explosives and explosive drones.
“There were heavy clashes all day in the city,” local resident Hussein Abdifatah told AFP. “Most of the civilians have difficulties fleeing because both sides are fighting everywhere.”