Clashes between Somali Forces, Al-Shabaab erupt near Baidoa after attack on military base
As of Monday evening, authorities had not released any official information regarding the number of casualties or the full extent of the damage caused by the confrontation.
Heavy fighting broke out on Monday morning between Somali government troops and Al-Shabaab militants after an armed assault on a military base located on the outskirts of Baidoa.
According to reports from residents and security sources, the attack occurred in the Bay-Burajeed area, approximately 10 kilometres east of Baidoa, between the town and the Daynuunay Military Garrison.
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Eyewitnesses in Baidoa said they saw ambulances and emergency vehicles transporting wounded personnel and what appeared to be bodies of soldiers from the site of the clashes.
As of Monday evening, authorities had not released any official information regarding the number of casualties or the full extent of the damage caused by the confrontation.
Al-Shabab, an armed group affiliated with al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack through its official media channels.
The group stated that its fighters had overrun the military installation, killed several soldiers, and seized weapons and military equipment. These claims have not been independently confirmed.
No official response had been issued by either the federal government of Somalia or the administration of Southwest State by the end of Monday.
Security officials declined to comment on the incident when journalists were contacted.
This incident is the second attack targeting the Bay-Burajeed base in recent weeks. A similar assault occurred approximately two months ago, during which Somali forces reportedly repelled Al-Shabaab fighters and inflicted significant losses. Those earlier claims also lacked independent verification.
Bay-Burajeed has become a strategic flashpoint in recent months as government forces continue their campaign to retake rural territories controlled by Al-Shabaab. The area lies in a corridor connecting Baidoa, one of the largest cities in Southwest State, to military installations deeper in the region.
Military analysts note that Al-Shabaab continues to conduct regular assaults on government positions as part of its wider effort to destabilise Somali state institutions. The group has carried out similar raids on military outposts in other regions, including central and southern Somalia.
Security experts say that the repeated attacks on Bay-Burajeed highlight the ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab, despite military operations carried out with the support of international partners.
Somali officials have previously pledged to strengthen security around key military installations, particularly in volatile regions such as Bay, but logistical and operational challenges continue to hinder efforts on the ground.
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