Heavy fighting erupted early Thursday morning in Baidoa, the capital of Somalia’s Bay region, as forces loyal to South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen reportedly launched an offensive in parts of the city.
Residents told Kaab TV that intense clashes involving heavy weapons broke out in several neighborhoods, with gunfire and explosions heard across the city.
Witnesses said the fighting disrupted normal movement of people and vehicles, while many families remained inside their homes amid fears that stray bullets and shelling could hit civilian areas.
The violence comes after weeks of growing political and security tensions in Baidoa.
Disputes over the leadership of South West State and disagreements surrounding the region’s political future and electoral process have fueled instability, prompting repeated security deployments in and around the city.
The latest clashes have heightened concerns that the ongoing political standoff could evolve into a wider armed confrontation. Fighting inside a densely populated urban area poses a significant risk to civilians, many of whom have limited options to flee to safer locations.
If the conflict continues, it could disrupt business activity, transportation, and essential public services.
Attention is now focused on Baidoa as residents and observers await further developments, amid fears that the violence could intensify or spread to other parts of the city.