Somalia: Heavy fighting erupts in Baidoa after forces loyal to Laftagaren attack Somali army positions

Heavy fighting erupted near Baidoa overnight as forces loyal to former Southwest leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed—Laftagareen—attacked Somali National Army positions guarding access to the city, sources said. Reports described an assault beginning with an attack on a checkpoint, followed by brief exchanges involving heavy and light weapons before subsiding. Residents said casualties occurred on both sides, though officials had not released tolls. The violence follows political tension after federal forces took control in the Southwest, leaving security forces split between new authorities and Laftagareen loyalists.