BAIDOA, Somalia (Kaab TV) — Southwest State President Abdiasis Laftagareen confirmed that two civilians were among 15 people killed during a two-day gunfight in Baidoa, the interim capital of the state, on Wednesday and Thursday.
Speaking at a mosque inside the presidential palace on Friday, Laftagareen said the violence has ended following the defeat of the militiamen by state security forces.
“No one should be allowed to violate the peace, development, and governance of Southwest State. What happened was something we have been expecting for a long time, and civilians should not be harmed,” he said.
He added that no further action will be taken against those who incited the violence, describing the incident as unfortunate but justified, noting, “We were begging them for a year to reach a solution.”
Calm returned to Baidoa on Friday.