Somali army clashes with rebel forces for control of key city Baidoa

Somali forces repel rebel fighters in Baidoa after intense fighting involving explosives and dozens of casualties.Published On 17 Aug 202617 Aug 2026Somalia’s army has said it has driven opposition fighters out of Baidoa, the largest city in Somalia’s South West State, after hours of heavy fighting.The clashes erupted before dawn on Monday, when fighters loyal to the state’s former president, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, attacked positions held by federal forces, the Defence Ministry said.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Why Mogadishu clashes are deepening Somalia’s political crisis againlist 2 of 3Somalia declares order restored after two days of fighting in Mogadishulist 3 of 3Puntland forces seize government-held camp in Somalia’s Galkayoend of listThe ministry added that the assailants used vehicles laden with explosives but were repelled after federal forces killed 30 attackers. It accused Laftagareen’s forces of fighting alongside the al-Qaeda-linked armed group al-Shabab.Earlier, in a Facebook post, Laftagareen’s camp claimed that its forces had captured the city centre.Residents told the AFP news agency that the clashes were the fiercest since the Somal...