MOGADISHU: Heavy fighting involving fighter jets and drones broke out in the Somali city of Baidoa on Monday after an attack by thousands of fighters loyal to an ousted local governor.
Several states in the deeply fragmented country are opposed to control by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and in March, his government sent in troops to oust the head of South West State, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
He has launched repeated attempts to retake the region and its main city of Baidoa.
The latest broke out early Monday, with local authorities saying they were attacked by around 2,000 to 3,000 fighters.
"There were heavy clashes all day in the city," local resident Hussein Abdifatah said by phone.
Mohamed Ali, a senior army commander in Baidoa, said the rebels "entered the city from several directions, using vehicles loaded with explosives, and explosive drones".
"The national army confronted them, inflicted heavy casualties and drove them out of the city," he added.
Another resident said that the situation was calm by mid-afternoon. The extent of casualties and damage had yet to be assessed. — AFP
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