In this photo taken with a smartphone, locals carry the body of a person, killed in fighting between government troops and militias in Baidoa, Somalia, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Bishar Mayow Mukhtar)
Baidoa (AX) — More than 40 al-Shabab militants were killed in Baidoa on Thursday, South West State authorities said, after attackers launched a two-pronged assault involving vehicles loaded with explosives.
- Advertisement -
The South West Presidency said its forces moved swiftly to repel the attack and worked to shield civilians and security personnel from harm.
“Our forces responded quickly to the attack and took measures to prevent the group from harming civilians and security forces,” the statement said. “More than 40 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the attack, while a number of others were wounded.”
Security forces also recovered weapons and other military equipment from the attackers, the presidency said.
Dr. Abdikafi Omar Mohamud, head of the emergency department at Bay Regional Hospital in Baidoa, told The Associated Press that 71 wounded people had been brought to the facility. The patients included 15 women, while one civilian was pronounced dead.
The South West administration offered condolences for the soldiers and civilians killed in the fighting and said those injured were receiving treatment.
The clashes began Thursday morning when forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen attacked Baidoa. They fought South West and federal government forces during the assault.
Earlier, South West State’s Council of Ministers had classified forces aligned with Laftagareen as a terrorist group, alleging that they had joined al-Shabab.
The designation was approved Sunday at an extraordinary cabinet meeting chaired by South West State leader Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe.
The council linked its decision to attacks and explosions reported in Baidoa on Aug. 17.
Laftagareen has denied any connection between his forces and al-Shabab. He has accused the federal government and South West authorities of politicizing the security situation.
Located about 245 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu, Baidoa is a key humanitarian center that shelters more than half a million people displaced by conflict and drought.
