The Al-Qaeda linked militant group Al-Shabaab have tightened the blockade on the city of Baidoa, the provincial capital of Somalia’s Southwest regional state.
Insurgents have banned vehicles and lorries transporting commercial goods, including fuel from entering and exiting the city of Baidoa for eight consecutive days, sparking shortages on basic needs for many communities in Baidoa and its environs.
The man-made blockade imposed on Baidoa came after authorities of the Southwest regional state arrested numerous school teachers and instructors that where summoned by Al-Shabaab and engaged in dealings with the militants in Al-Shabaab controlled territory.
The blockade on Baidoa has led to rising fuel and food prices and also affected inflation for residents, which has sparked condemnation by many officials within the Federal Government of Somalia.
“I share the pain with the people of Baidoa City and the entire Somali citizens who are subject to the brutal blockade of Al-Shabab. Ostensibly, the group is in an all-out war against the great people of Somalia and this is a testament that the FGS-led efforts are pushing the group to extinction.” said Hussein Sheikh Mohamud, the Chief of Staff for the president of Somalia.
The Federal Government of Somalia and the Southwest regional state are yet to take decisive action on the Al-Shabaab imposed blockade on Baidoa. Its ineffectiveness in dealing with the situation is viewed by many locals as a sign of weakness as we enter the second week of the blockade on Baidoa.
Daljir Media Service Desk.
FAALLOOYIN & FALCELIN