The Somali federal government has deployed troops from the Gorgor special forces to the southwestern city of Baidoa to reinforce security following fighting and heightened tensions in parts of South West State.
Up to 70 soldiers from the 5th and 17th units of the Gorgor forces were reportedly flown from Aden Adde International Airport in the capital, Mogadishu, to Baidoa on a special flight.
The deployment followed a request from South West State leader Sheikh Aadan Mohamed Nur Madobe, according to local sources.
Sources familiar with the movement of military equipment said that three Kamaz military trucks were seen at around 23:30 local time on Monday inside the Afisyoone section of Aden Adde International Airport.
The trucks were reportedly carrying weapons and ammunition, including DShK heavy machine guns, PKM machine guns and AK-47 rifles. The equipment was allegedly being prepared for transport to Baidoa, the sources said.
The deployment comes a day after clashes were reported in Baidoa between federal government forces, South West State security forces and fighters loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
Forces aligned with Laftagareen are reportedly positioned on the outskirts of Baidoa.
Some local media outlets, citing sources, have reported that officials from the federal government and South West State have agreed to launch a direct military operation against Laftagareen’s forces in the coming weeks.
The reported objective would be to halt a series of recurring attacks, including Monday’s fighting, in which nearly 60 people were reported to have been killed.
The reported plans and casualty figures have not been independently verified.
