The security situation in the city of Baidoa and surrounding areas remains volatile, amid reports of airstrikes last night on some villages on the outskirts of the city, where forces loyal to the former President of South West State, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, are stationed.
Among the areas reported to have been hit by the strikes are Iidow Dhagool, Eeldoon and Saydheelow, all located in the Baidoa area.
Earlier reports on the fighting in the Baidoa area said that Laftagareen’s forces have positions on land near Saydheelow and Eeldoon, where these forces frequently shift their positions.
Airstrikes on the outskirts of Baidoa have been reported by some media outlets as involving aircraft owned or used by Somalia’s international partners, who took part in the area’s military operations.
A report published on September 13 said strikes attributed to Turkish aircraft hit the outskirts of Baidoa, with the same report noting that the casualties had not been independently confirmed.
The fighting and airstrikes in the Baidoa area are also affecting civilians, particularly pastoralists and families living in rural areas.
Some local residents are reported to have fled the places where they lived, fearing further airstrikes and armed clashes.
This kind of displacement can have a particular impact on people who depend on livestock, since insecurity can force them to leave behind wells, grazing land and their animals.
International humanitarian law, specifically the rules governing armed conflict, requires warring parties to distinguish between civilians and military targets.
Attacks must be directed at a lawful military target, and indiscriminate attacks are prohibited.
Likewise, an attack on a military target must take into account the proportion of expected civilian harm relative to the anticipated military advantage.
Therefore, the mere fact that an aircraft belongs to a foreign government does not by itself determine who is legally responsible for an incident