Reports from the outskirts of Baidoa in Bay region, especially in the Burjeed area, have shown a heavy battle between the Somali military forces and the South West Dervish on the same side and Al Shabaab fighters.
The battle, which involved the use of various types of weapons, began early Thursday morning after Al Shabaab attacked the military bases where they were stationed.
The fighting, which lasted for hours, resulted in casualties on both sides.
The spokesman for the South West presidential palace, Mohamed Ibrahim, who we contacted, told us that they had defeated the militants who attacked.
He noted that there were heavy casualties suffered by the militants who attacked their military bases and revealed that they are still counting the number of fighters killed in the battle.
South West security officials have released videos of the Al Shabaab fighters they killed in the battle this morning.
Officials said they will speak to the media soon and share casualties from the fighting that took place this morning on the outskirts of Baidoa.
