The International Committee of the Red Cross says 148 people were treated for injuries after heavy fighting in Baidoa, raising fresh concerns over the impact of violence on civilians and medical services.
The ICRC said 106 wounded people were treated at two public hospitals, while another 42 received care at private medical facilities. It did not provide details on the identities of those wounded or specify how many were civilians or fighters.
The latest figures offer an indication of the pressure the violence has placed on medical services in Baidoa, a major city in southwestern Somalia that has faced repeated bouts of fighting in recent months.
The Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) evacuated wounded people from areas affected by the clashes, the ICRC said, adding that it was working closely with the organisation to assist people affected by the violence.
“Parties to the conflict must take all necessary measures to protect civilians,” Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC delegation in Somalia, said in a statement.
Grand also urged those involved in the fighting to avoid actions that could harm civilians and to respect the protection afforded to people not taking part in hostilities.
The clashes have taken place in and around populated parts of Baidoa, raising concerns over the safety of residents and the ability of health facilities to provide care during periods of intense violence.
The ICRC did not identify the parties responsible for the fighting in its statement.
Baidoa is the administrative capital of Somalia’s Southwest state and an important political and humanitarian centre. The city has experienced renewed tensions and armed confrontations involving rival Somali forces.
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The latest violence comes amid a broader political and security crisis in Southwest state, where disagreements over the region’s leadership have contributed to heightened tensions.
Repeated clashes have also disrupted normal life in the city, with residents facing restrictions on movement and difficulties accessing essential services.
Medical facilities have been particularly affected by the violence. The ICRC said its cooperation with the Somali Red Crescent was aimed at supporting people injured or otherwise affected by the conflict.
The organisation reiterated its call for all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including obligations to protect civilians and medical personnel and facilities.
The ICRC has maintained a humanitarian presence in Somalia for decades, providing assistance to people affected by armed conflict and supporting health services in cooperation with local partners.
Somalia has continued to battle Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, while political disputes among federal and regional authorities have periodically triggered separate armed confrontations.
The latest fighting in Baidoa has added to concerns about the humanitarian situation in the city, where residents have already faced years of insecurity and displacement.
The ICRC said the number of wounded treated in the recent violence demonstrated the need for all sides to take steps to reduce risks to civilians.
It called on the parties to ensure that humanitarian and medical assistance can reach those in need and that people caught up in the fighting are protected from further harm.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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