Baidoa (WDN)- Intense fighting has broken out on the outskirts of Baidoa after Somali government forces advancing from Buurhakaba ran into Al-Shabaab fighters in the Daynuunay area, triggering a fierce and unrelenting battle.
Witnesses and local sources describe heavy exchanges of gunfire, with both sides deploying a range of weaponry in what appears to be a high-stakes confrontation. The government troops were reportedly attempting to push toward Baidoa when they encountered entrenched Al-Shabaab elements, leading to a sudden and violent clash.
Sources close to the Federal Government indicate that military drones are now actively supporting Somali National Army operations, carrying out aerial strikes against Al-Shabaab positions to clear the path for advancing forces. The use of drones suggests a significant escalation in the scale and intensity of the operation.
However, the situation is further complicated by sharp accusations from Southwest State authorities, who claim the Federal Government is using drone power not solely against Al-Shabaab, but as a tool of political pressure.
A spokesperson for the Southwest State administration alleged that Turkish-made Bayraktar drones, originally intended for counterterrorism operations, are now being used to intimidate Baidoa and its leadership.
“These drones were meant to target Al-Shabaab,” the spokesperson said. “Instead, they are being used against us.”
There are mounting accusations and counter-accusations between the Federal Government and South West State regarding the alleged use of, and support for, the Al-Shabaab militia.
The unfolding confrontation highlights the dangerous overlap between Somalia’s ongoing security battle against Al-Shabaab and its deepening political crisis between the Federal Government and regional states.
As fighting continues near Baidoa, concerns are mounting that the situation could escalate beyond a localized clash, potentially drawing the country further into instability at a time of already heightened political tension.
Wardheernews