Heavy fighting has erupted in Somalia’s city of Baidoa between government forces and fighters loyal to ousted regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
The clashes broke out on Monday in Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State.
Fighter jets and drones were also reported during the violence, according to Al Jazeera.
The latest clashes are the third major outbreak of fighting in the city in six weeks.
Heavy fighting erupts in Baidoa
Thousands of local fighters entered Baidoa on Monday morning before clashes broke out with Somalia’s national army.
Senior army commander Mohamed Ali told AFP that government troops confronted the fighters and pushed them out of the city.
He also claimed that the fighters were carrying vehicles loaded with explosives and explosive drones.
Laftagareen gave a different account.
In a statement, he congratulated his fighters for the operation. He said their aim was to maintain security and restore stability in Baidoa.
Political tensions behind Baidoa clashes
The fighting comes amid wider political tensions between Somalia’s federal government and regional authorities.
Several states have opposed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government.
In March, the federal government sent troops to remove Laftagareen as head of South West State.
Since then, Laftagareen has repeatedly attempted to regain control of areas in the region, including Baidoa.
Government forces have sought to maintain control of the city.
Civilians struggle to escape fighting
The latest violence has had serious consequences for civilians.
Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said three people were killed. One of those killed was a healthcare worker.
Local resident Hussein Abdifatah told AFP that heavy clashes continued throughout the day.
He said many civilians were unable to leave because fighting was taking place across the city.
Meanwhile, medical teams at Baidoa’s Bay Regional Hospital received 69 patients affected by the violence.
Five of them were children.
Fighting blocks access to hospitals
The clashes have also disrupted access to medical care.
Roads leading to hospitals were blocked during the fighting.
MSF warned that wounded people could therefore struggle to reach treatment.
A health facility was also reportedly badly damaged. In addition, an ambulance was looted.
MSF said two medical workers linked to its teams were robbed. One of them was injured.
Dr Elshafie Mohammed, MSF’s representative in Somalia, said civilians and healthcare workers were again being caught in the violence.
Third outbreak of fighting in six weeks
Baidoa has experienced several rounds of fighting in recent weeks.
Clashes erupted on August 17. Bay Regional Hospital reported four deaths and 94 wounded people following that violence.
Fighting broke out again on September 3.
During that round, 71 people received treatment for injuries and one death was recorded.
Monday’s clashes mark the third major outbreak of violence in Baidoa within six weeks.
The renewed fighting has increased concerns about civilian safety and access to healthcare as the struggle for control of the city continues.