Heavy clashes erupted Monday in the Somali city of Baidoa as government forces confronted a large group of fighters loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the ousted head of South West State. The fighting involved the use of fighter jets and explosive drones, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict over control of the region.

According to local officials, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 militants launched an assault on Baidoa, which has been contested since March when federal troops intervened to remove Laftagareen from power at the behest of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government. Laftagareen and his supporters have repeatedly attempted to regain control of the city and surrounding areas.

Mohamed Ali, a senior army commander based in Baidoa, said the insurgents attacked from multiple directions, employing vehicles packed with explosives alongside drone strikes. The national army responded with force, reportedly inflicting heavy casualties and repelling the attackers from the city.

Local residents described intense fighting throughout much of Monday. Hussein Abdifatah, a Baidoa resident, said clashes persisted during the day but that the situation had stabilized by mid-afternoon. The full extent of casualties and material damage remained unclear.

The violence in Baidoa highlights the ongoing instability in Somalia, where multiple factions challenge the authority of the federal government. South West State has been a flashpoint for tensions, reflecting broader struggles for regional power and control. The government’s reliance on military intervention to maintain influence in the area underscores the fragility of Somalia’s political landscape.