Baidoa clashes leave civilians cut off from hospitals, MSF says
Doctors Without Borders reports three deaths and 69 patients treated as blocked roads hinder access to medical care.
Fighting between Somalia’s national army and fighters loyal to ousted South West State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has again disrupted Baidoa, with civilians struggling to flee and reach hospitals.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported three deaths, including a healthcare worker. Medical teams at Bay Regional Hospital received 69 patients affected by the violence, including five children. MSF said blocked roads were preventing wounded people from accessing treatment.
The aid agency also reported severe damage to a health facility and the looting of an ambulance. Two medical staff working with its teams were robbed, and one was injured.
Army commander Mohamed Ali said government forces had driven the local fighters out of the city and inflicted heavy casualties. That account has not established whether the government has regained full control.
The government ousted Laftagareen in March. The clashes are the third reported outbreak in Baidoa in six weeks, following fighting on 17 August and 3 September.
