Clashes in Baidoa Province, Somalia

Clashes in Baidoa Province,
of Somalia
By Ali Abdi Hussein, Muslim Media News Service (MMNS)
Baidoa, Somalia— At least one person has beeen killed seven people has been wounded in clashes between militias loyal to Somali president Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed and local militias in Baidoa, capital town of Baidoa on Tuesday. The cause of the clashes was continuing rivalry between the rival militias in Baidoa suburb last month.
Yusuf’s militia with Toyota pick up vehicle exchanged gunfire with local militias in central Baidoa town injuring seven people.
Two of the wounded were said to belong militias of president Abdulahi Yusuf, while one was of local militias.
“It was a short-term battle but it has an impact on the city activities, the people remained indoors fearing the stray bullets from the warring sides,” an eyewitness said.
“The president himself is creating an insecurity atmosphere because he deployed thousands of Puntland militias in the region,” one of Baidoa residents reported to the press, asking not to be identified.
One of Yusuf’s injured militia members was in serious condition after his bladder hit by a bullet.
Baido town, which is a temporary capital for the transitional federal government, has been relatively quiet for the past few days, but now it is becoming apparent that the security is getting out of control after the latest attack in the town. –