The spokesman for the former president of the South West region, Ugaas Hassan Abdi Mohamed, spoke about the fighting that took place this morning in Baidoa, saying that forces he described as those from the South West region are conducting operations inside the city of Baidoa.
Ugaas Hassan called on the people of Baidoa to stay in their homes during the operation, saying that people and children should not leave their homes until the forces end the operations.
He also said that the various forces fighting in the city and those in other areas should surrender, calling on the forces to reach the designated areas to carry out registration and other procedures.
The spokesman said that the forces he supports want to enter the city, calling on his forces to extend their hands to the people and treat those who surrender well.
This statement comes as fighting was reported in Baidoa this morning between the forces of the Federal Government of Somalia and forces loyal to the former president of the South West region, Abdiaziz Hassan Lafta Gareen.
This is the second battle in Baidoa in two weeks, and it comes at a time when a large number of Somali Federal Government troops were deployed to Baidoa a few days ago to defend the city.
The number of casualties from the battle that the Lafta Gareen forces waged in Baidoa this morning is still not officially known, with both sides claiming victories in terms of casualties.
