By Zakaria Soohoyde - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 30 September 2026 UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the impact of the latest fighting in Baidoa, saying children have been killed and injured in the clashes and that a health facility has been damaged.
In a statement issued on Wednesday UNICEF said children were once again bearing the heaviest burden of the violence in the city, as insecurity was putting their lives at risk and restricting access to healthcare and other essential services.
UNICEF said the security situation comes as many families are already struggling with displacement, food insecurity and high levels of child malnutrition.
The UN children's agency called on all parties involved in the conflict to protect children from harm and safeguard schools and health facilities. It also called for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need.
"Every child has the right to be safe, protected from violence, and able to access the services they need to survive and thrive," UNICEF said.
Fighting broke out again in Baidoa on Sept. 28, with the opposing sides giving different accounts of who launched the attack and the casualties resulting from the clashes.
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South West State authorities said more than 70 fighters involved in the attack were killed in heavy fighting in the city, adding that some of those killed were foreigners.
However, other sources gave different casualty figures, while medical and local reports said civilians and security forces were among those killed and dozens of others were wounded.
The fighting has also affected healthcare services.
The clashes are taking place amid growing political and security tensions in South West State involving the federal government, the South West administration and forces supporting the state’s former president, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
The Sept. 28 fighting marked the third outbreak of heavy violence in Baidoa in six weeks, raising further concerns about the impact of the conflict on civilians and essential services.