Baydhabo 04, Sep. 06 ( Sh.M.Network) - - A heavy gun battle between forces loyal to the transitional federal government of Somalia and local militias have left at least six persons dead and about another 20 wounded in Baidoa town, the seat of the largely powerless government of Somalia.
Shabelle Correspondent in Baidoa, Mohamed Adawe says that the six dead are the local militias of the former Rahanwen resistance army (RRA) who were manning checkpoints inside the airport of Baidoa.
“The sound of gunfire could be heard all over the town and people got terrified,” says Adawe.
Our correspondent says that at least another five of local militias were taken into prison while some more have fled the scene and government forces confiscated two battlewagons mounted with anti aircraft guns.
The motive of gunfight is said to be a rift over distorted fees charged at the airport by the local militias.
Because of the battle, all flights of aeroplanes transporting Kat from Kenya were diverted to Wajid town in neighboring Bakool Region.
Our correspondent reports now that the situation is now calm with the full control of the airport by the government forces.
Shabelle Media Network Somalia
http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne1408.htm
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Am I the only person that thought the government had control over the Baidhoa airport and how many times do they need to take over that airport? The government militias need to learn about negotiating and stop throwing their weight around and killing people. It is ridiculous the things they are doing to the locals in Baidoa.
