Fighting causes casualties near Baydhaba in Somalia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
Fresh fighting has pitted Somali government and South West forces against fighters loyal to Cabdicasiis Lafta-gareen near Burijeed, in the Bay region. The clashes, reportedly involving F-16 aircraft, caused losses on both sides and the situation remains tense, according to local sources quoted by Caasimada Online.
Fighting between Somali government and South West forces on one side and men loyal to Cabdicasiis Lafta-gareen on the other has caused heavy losses near Baydhaba, according to local sources quoted by Caasimada Online. The clashes took place in the Burijeed area, where both sides used various types of weapons.
F-16 fighter jets reportedly carried out strikes in the area, the Somali media outlet reports. Both sides suffered losses and the situation remained tense after the fighting.
The clashes come as forces loyal to Lafta-gareen have extended their control to several localities in the Bay and Bakool regions. The repeated fighting is alarming residents of Baydhaba, the provisional capital of Somalia’s South West State and a refuge for hundreds of thousands of people displaced by conflict and drought.
The fighting illustrates the escalation of the political conflict in South West State, where both sides are seeking to prevail by force. Leaders Aadan Madoobe and Shariif Xasan discussed security in the region on 20 October, while Somalia sent more than 100 military vehicles towards Buurhakaba on 25 October.
