**Title: Somali Forces Claim Victory Over Al-Shabaab-Linked Militias in Baidoa Attack**
**Baidoa, Somalia** – Somali government forces have reported a decisive victory against militias allegedly associated with the militant group Al-Shabaab following an attack on Baidoa, the capital of the South West State. The assault commenced early Thursday morning around 4:15 a.m., featuring explosions aimed at creating panic among the civilian population, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense.
The fighting persisted for several hours before subsiding in the afternoon. The Defense Ministry stated that government troops inflicted significant losses on the attackers, who were reportedly loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen. While the ministry did not disclose specific casualty figures, it indicated that an assessment was ongoing.
In a separate statement, the South West State government detailed that the attack began with two vehicle-borne explosive devices. They claimed that their forces killed more than 40 Al-Shabaab fighters, injured several others, and confiscated weapons and military equipment during the confrontation. The Bay Regional Hospital reported receiving 71 wounded individuals, including 15 women, along with one deceased civilian, as confirmed by emergency department head Abdikafi Omar Mohamud.
Laftagareen's camp acknowledged its involvement in the assault. Former regional spokesperson Ugaas Hassan Abdi Mohamed described the operation as "planned," aimed at incapacitating forces they accused of invading the region. He reported that two fighters from their side were killed and five others sustained injuries.
This recent outbreak of violence is part of an ongoing standoff between the federal government in Mogadishu and Laftagareen. The federal authorities rejected Laftagareen's disputed reelection in March and took control of Baidoa on March 30, leading to Laftagareen's announcement of resignation after governing South West since 2018. In June, regional lawmakers elected Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, the former speaker of the Somali parliament, as the new president of South West State.
The conflict in Baidoa is not isolated; it follows a pattern of violence in the region. In August, a militia attack on government positions around the city resulted in the deaths of at least four civilians and injuries to 98 others. The federal government reported nearly 30 attackers killed, while regional officials estimated the toll to be around 50. Both sides attributed the violence to Laftagareen loyalists and Al-Shabaab, allegations that Laftagareen has consistently denied.
Baidoa, located approximately 245 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu, is home to over half a million people displaced by ongoing conflict and drought conditions. Al-Shabaab has been engaged in an insurgency against Somalia's government for nearly two decades and continues to maintain control over various territories within the country.
As the situation in Baidoa remains tense, the Somali government faces ongoing challenges in stabilizing the region and addressing the humanitarian needs of its displaced population. The recent military engagement underscores the complexities of the political landscape in South West State and the persistent threat posed by militant groups like Al-Shabaab.