Children have been killed and injured in fresh fighting in Baidoa, in Somalia’s South West State, where families were already facing severe hunger and other overlapping crises.
A health facility has also been damaged, according to the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and other humanitarian agencies.
In the past few weeks, clashes have broken out in Baidoa, the state’s largest city, between Government forces and fighters loyal to the former regional president, who was ousted in March.
The army has been seeking to maintain control of the city, which it seized earlier this year. Hostilities flared on Monday, according to news reports, after thousands of local fighters entered Baidoa that morning.
“Children are once again bearing the heaviest burden of violence,” said the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, expressing deep concern about the escalation.
“UNICEF calls on all parties to protect children from harm, ensure the protection of schools, and health facilities, and allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access.”
by UN News – Somali families face renewed violence amid worsening hunger crisis
