Southwest state security forces and armed militia groups spent two days in heavy fighting in the city of Baidoa, which left at least 10 people wounded.

The conflicts, which split over into 5th February, were based on a land dispute, but later turned more into general unrest that, according to locals, had some political undertones. People said that the warring parties employed heavy arms that had compelled the local businesses to close down, and this had interfered with normal operations in the local capital.

During the fighting, communications at times were cut off in parts of the city, and public transport as well as commercial activity were severely hit, according to residents.

Southwest Information Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal acknowledged the termination of the fighting and dismissed the violence as a crime and not a political conflict.

Bilal said, “in the last several hours, gangs and thugs have been having a field day in the city of Baidoa. This was the first time that they stormed the cattle market, bullying traders and civilians.”

He insisted that the involved armed groups were not political enemies. “We would assure the Somali people that the gangsters who caused the turmoil in Baidoa were criminal gangs and not the opposition factions or political groups.”

“When I talk to you, I can tell you that these gangs have been broken up altogether. The South West Region security forces now have all the control in the area of security,” he said.

Reports, however, in Baadoa showed that the violence has left a long-lasting effect on the movement and transportation of people, with the people remaining alert despite the official assurances.

The federal government still has not made a comment on the incident.

Baidoa, the temporary capital of the Southwest state, has recorded occasional conflicts in the past associated with land feuds, clan conflicts, and political interests, highlighting the precarious security conditions in some of the regions of southern Somalia.