By Aadan Geesey - Reporter
Somalia, July 16 2026 – Clashes broke out overnight in the southwestern Somali city of Baidoa, with local residents reporting gunfire between military police and armed forces loyal to the former South West State administration.
Residents said the fighting began after armed men attacked a military police position near the Al Faras junction along 30th Road, one of the city's main thoroughfares.
There was no immediate official statement from the federal government, South West State authorities or security agencies on the incident, and Dawan could not independently verify the accounts or determine who initiated the fighting.
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Local sources said both sides suffered casualties, although no official death toll or injury figures were available.
Residents also reported that a 10-year-old civilian boy was killed during the exchange of fire.
The area where the clashes occurred remained under the control of military police on Thursday, while security forces maintained a presence around the site.
The latest violence comes amid continuing political and security tensions in South West State, where rival factions have remained at odds following changes in the regional leadership.