Somalia repels armed assault on Baidoa amid regional political tensions

Somalia's military repelled an attack by armed groups in Baidoa, the largest city in the South West State. Militias loyal to ousted Governor Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen attempted to seize control of the city, but the army claimed to have inflicted a heavy defeat on the attackers. Despite intense fighting, several residents reported that the city was calm after several hours of battle.