ICRC Expresses Deep Concern Over Civilian Casualties in Baidoa Clashes

BAIDOA — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed deep concern over the impact of fighting in urban areas following heavy clashes in Baidoa, with its teams reporting that dozens of casualties were received in hospitals.

In a statement issued on September 4, Antoine Grand, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Somalia, said the Somali Red Crescent Society had evacuated the injured and that the ICRC continues to work closely with them to support those affected. He urged all parties to take precautions to spare civilians.

Grand has previously met with regional leaders to strengthen humanitarian coordination, including a November 2025 visit to the North Eastern State where he discussed deepening collaboration to serve communities affected by ongoing challenges.

The clashes, which erupted on Thursday between forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and Somali federal troops, have raised concerns about the safety of civilians in the city and surrounding areas.

Growing Humanitarian Concerns

The ICRC has been one of the few humanitarian organizations consistently active in Somalia, providing support to medical facilities and assisting displaced populations. The organization has previously been urged by ATMIS to increase humanitarian support for conflict-affected communities, with discussions focusing on how the mission plays a role in maintaining peace and security in the region.

The ICRC has also engaged with regional governments on humanitarian issues, including a July 2026 meeting with Galmudug’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources to address critical water scarcity and essential service needs in parts of the region. The organization has rehabilitated boreholes in drought-hit regions and provided equipment to local authorities for water infrastructure repairs.

According to reports from Baidoa, the fighting has spread to civilian areas, with residents describing heavy gunfire and explosions in several neighborhoods. The clashes have also disrupted electricity and water supplies in parts of the city.

Baidoa hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced people who had fled drought and previous conflicts. The renewed violence raises concerns about the safety of aid operations serving the city’s large displaced population.

International Humanitarian Law and Civilian Protection

The ICRC’s call for all parties to take precautions to spare civilians reflects the obligations imposed by international humanitarian law. Under the Geneva Conventions, parties to a conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants and take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties.

The ICRC has previously engaged with Somali authorities on the ratification of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, with a delegation visiting the Special Envoy for Stabilization and Civilian Protection to discuss steps required for implementation and civilian protection.

Critical Note

The ICRC’s statement on the Baidoa clashes underscores the humanitarian toll of the escalating political crisis in South West State. The organization’s call for all parties to spare civilians is a reminder of the legal and moral obligations that apply in armed conflict, regardless of the political grievances that may have sparked the violence.

However, the ICRC’s appeal reflects a pattern that has become all too familiar in Somalia’s conflicts: warnings are issued, civilians are killed, and the cycle of violence continues without accountability. The federal government and regional administrations must ensure that their military operations comply with international humanitarian law and that those responsible for violations are held accountable.

The Baidoa clashes have already resulted in dozens of casualties, and the risk of further violence remains high. The international community must press for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to political dialogue. The people of Baidoa, who have already endured years of displacement and hardship, deserve better than to be caught once again in the crossfire of political rivalries.