BAIDOA, Somalia — In a violent escalation, Al-Shabab militants launched a pre-dawn assault on a military base in the Maanya-Fuulka area, just outside Baidoa, on Thursday morning. The attack sparked intense clashes between the militants and South West State forces, with heavy gunfire and artillery exchanges.
According to Arlaadi Media Network sources, the fighting quickly spread to the surrounding Bay Burjeed village, located near Daynuunay, intensifying tensions in the region.
Despite the fierce assault, South West forces successfully repelled the attackers, killing several Al-Shabab militants, including at least one foreign fighter.
However, regional sources confirmed that a senior officer and multiple soldiers from the South West State forces were killed or wounded during the skirmish. Casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed, and security officials are withholding further details due to ongoing operations.
The attack prompted a wave of public support for the South West forces. Just hours after the assault, hundreds of Baidoa residents took to the streets in a show of solidarity with the military.
Al-Shabab’s latest offensive highlights the ongoing insurgency in the region and the continued threat posed by the group to the stability of Somalia’s South West State. As the situation develops, Arlaadi Media Network will continue to provide updates on the security and political implications of the attack.
