Somalia: Laftagaren forces take Qansah-dhere, west of Baidoa
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Forces loyal to Abdiasis Laftagaren, Somalia’s former Southwest leader, captured the strategic town of Qansah-dhere in the Bay region on Thursday without a gunfight, local media reported. The town, 90 kilometers west of Baidoa, is the first to pass fully out of federal control since a military offensive launched by the Somali […]
Black News 
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Forces loyal to Abdiasis Laftagaren, Somalia’s former Southwest leader, captured the strategic town of Qansah-dhere in the Bay region on Thursday without a gunfight, local media reported.
The town, 90 kilometers west of Baidoa, is the first to pass fully out of federal control since a military offensive launched by the Somali federal government on Baidoa removed Mr. Laftagaren from power in late March.
Mr. Laftagaren, who still recognizes himself as the region’s legitimate president, plans to retake Baidoa, the region’s administrative capital, as tensions continue to mount.
A minister in Mr. Laftagaren’s cabinet was also expected to arrive in Qansah-dhere after its fall, according to media reports.
The federal government, meanwhile, continues to deploy additional troops to Baidoa to strengthen its defenses. Mr. Laftagaren’s forces have attacked the city multiple times, briefly capturing a number of neighborhoods and inflicting losses on federal troops and their regional allies.
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