MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Southwest State officials in Somalia said on Thursday that their forces had brought an end to two days of fighting with local militias led by prominent former Somali army commanders.
According to a spokesperson for the regional authorities, Southwest forces overpowered the militias involved in the clashes, capturing some fighters while others fled and are now being pursued.
The violence began on Wednesday in Baidoa and later spread to several neighbourhoods across the town. Local reporters said the fighting stemmed from a dispute over land surrounding the livestock market.
During the two days of clashes, stray mortar shells landed in residential areas. However, there was no immediate information on casualties.
Fresh fighting erupted on Thursday morning after Southwest regional forces attacked the residence of Somalia’s federal minister of livestock in Baidoa.
In the aftermath, some Somali members of parliament allied with Southwest State President Abdiasis Laftagaren took to social media to accuse the federal government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, of instigating the violence in Baidoa.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
