Somali National Army forces have entered Baidoa city shortly after fighting with South West forces on the outskirts of the city.
Footage from the city showed the newly appointed Bay regional police chief, Sadiiq Doodishe, and his forces marching through neighborhoods in Baidoa.
It was confirmed that Baidoa city has been fully taken over by the Somali National Army, in collaboration with local forces, who opposed the previous administration led by former President Abdiaziz Lafta Gareen.
Similarly, the Somali government’s Minister of Livestock, Hassan Hussein Eelaay, a member of the opposition Lafta Gareen politicians, also entered Baidoa city.
Hassan Eelaay had previously threatened to remove President Lafta Gareen and his administration from there within hours.
According to a statement published in the Somali state media, security officials are conducting operations in Baidoa to ensure security, after the city was cleared of what they say are militias misled by the president of the Southwest.
The government said it had officially reopened the road linking Baidoa and Daynuunay, after fighting there with al-Shabaab.
The Ministry of Defense said that forces under the command of Abdiasis Laftagareen were surrendering in groups, along with their combat vehicles.
However, the whereabouts of the president of the Southwest, who was recently elected in Baidoa, are unknown. There are varying reports about his condition, with some saying he is in the presidential palace guarded by Ethiopian troops, while others indicate that he has left the city.
