Somali army clashes with local forces for control of Baidoa

The latest outbreak of fighting in the South West State city stranded civilians unable to flee or reach hospitals.

x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Security personnel patrol a street in Baidoa, Somalia [File: Bishar Mayow Mukhtar/AP Photo] By Al Jazeera Staff and AFP Published On 28 Sep 2026 28 Sep 2026 Intense clashes have broken out in the Somali city of Baidoa between government forces and fighters loyal to the ousted regional president.

Fighter jets and drones were reported as the hostilities flared on Monday in the South West State city after thousands of local fighters entered the city in the morning. Violence has plagued the city in recent weeks as the army seeks to maintain the control it wrested earlier this year.