Renewed Clashes Erupt in Baidoa as Somali Army Battles Forces Loyal to Ousted Regional Leader

Fierce fighting broke out once again in the south-western Somali city of Baidoa on Monday, pitting national government troops against local fighters aligned with the region's deposed president, according to accounts from military officials and aid agencies operating in the area.

The confrontation marks the latest eruption of violence in a city that has been repeatedly convulsed by armed conflict in recent months, deepening a humanitarian crisis for civilians who have found themselves trapped between warring factions. Fighter jets and drones were reportedly deployed during Monday's hostilities, underscoring the intensity of the battle for control of the strategically significant city.

According to a senior army commander, government forces managed to repel the assault after local fighters poured into Baidoa in the morning hours. Commander Mohamed Ali told the AFP news agency that the national army "confronted them, inflicted heavy casualties and drove them out of the city." He further alleged that the attacking fighters were equipped with vehicles rigged with explosives as well as explosive-laden drones, suggesting a sophisticated and well-prepared offensive.

The violence stems from a deepening political rupture between Somalia's federal government and the leadership of South West State. In March, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's administration dispatched troops to remove Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the regional president, from power. Since his ouster, Laftagareen has mounted repeated attempts to reclaim territory, including Baidoa, which serves as the administrative capital of the state.

In a message posted on social media, Laftagareen congratulated the fighters who participated in Monday's operation, framing their objective as an effort to "maintain security," "restore stability and diversity" in Baidoa. His statement signals that the former regional leader remains determined to challenge federal authority and reassert control over the region he once governed.

The human cost of the fighting has been severe. Doctors Without Borders, the international medical charity known by its French acronym MSF, confirmed that three people lost their lives, among them a healthcare worker. The organisation expressed alarm at the toll the violence is taking on civilians and medical personnel alike.

Residents described a day of unrelenting combat that left ordinary people with few options for safety. Hussein Abdifatah, a local resident, told AFP that "there were heavy clashes all day in the city" and that "most of the civilians have difficulties fleeing because both sides are fighting everywhere." His account illustrates the impossible situation facing non-combatants caught in the crossfire, unable to escape or seek shelter.

Medical facilities in Baidoa have been overwhelmed by the influx of wounded. Teams working alongside the Ministry of Health at Bay Regional Hospital reported receiving 69 patients affected by the violence, among them five children. The presence of paediatric casualties highlights the indiscriminate nature of the fighting in densely populated urban areas.

Access to treatment has been further complicated by the blocking of roads leading to hospitals, according to reports from the ground. MSF warned that it is deeply concerned about the likelihood that many injured people are unable to reach medical care in time, potentially leading to preventable deaths and suffering.

Dr Elshafie Mohammed, MSF's Somalia representative, voiced outrage at the recurring pattern of violence. "This is the third time in six weeks that fighting has erupted in Baidoa, with devastating consequences for civilians," he said. "It is unacceptable that civilians and healthcare are being caught up in violence." His statement reflects mounting frustration among humanitarian organisations at the failure to protect non-combatants and medical infrastructure.

The aid agency also reported that a health facility sustained severe damage during the clashes and that an ambulance was looted. In addition, two medical staff members working with its teams were robbed, and one of them was injured. Such attacks on health workers and facilities contravene international humanitarian law and further erode the already fragile capacity to respond to the crisis.

Monday's violence is part of a troubling cycle of repeated clashes in Baidoa. On August 17, fighting erupted in the city, with Bay Regional Hospital recording four deaths and 94 people wounded. A second outbreak occurred on September 3, when 71 people were treated for injuries and one death was recorded. The frequency of these incidents suggests a persistent and unresolved power struggle with no immediate prospect of a lasting ceasefire.

The broader political context is one of fractured authority in Somalia, where several federal member states have grown increasingly at odds with the central government in Mogadishu. The administration's decision to remove Laftagareen has become a flashpoint, exposing the fragility of federal-state relations and raising questions about the government's ability to impose its will beyond the capital.

For the residents of Baidoa, the consequences are acute. Repeated rounds of fighting have disrupted daily life, restricted movement, shuttered businesses and placed enormous strain on an already limited healthcare system. Each new outbreak compounds the suffering of a population that has endured years of conflict, displacement and insecurity.

The involvement of aerial assets, including fighter jets and drones, alongside reports of explosive drones and vehicle-borne bombs, points to an escalating tactical contest. Such weaponry raises the risk of significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction in urban neighbourhoods, where distinguishing between combatants and non-combatants becomes increasingly difficult.

As the situation stands, no side has demonstrated a willingness to de-escalate. The federal government appears committed to retaining control of Baidoa, while Laftagareen's loyalists show no sign of abandoning their campaign to retake the city. Without a negotiated settlement or a decisive military outcome, Baidoa is likely to remain a flashpoint, with civilians bearing the heaviest burden.

Humanitarian agencies continue to call for the protection of civilians and unimpeded access to medical care. Yet with roads blocked and health facilities damaged, their ability to respond remains severely constrained. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the latest round of fighting subsides or spirals into yet another prolonged and destructive chapter for the people of Baidoa.