Al-Shabab gunmen target Southwest security officials' homes in Baidoa town

 Gunmen launched a grenade attack on the homes of Southwest security force officials in Baidoa on Tuesday night, leaving several people injured, according to local residents.

The targeted security officials were not present during the attack, which occurred in the residential area of the town. Although no fatalities were reported, family members and security guards were among those injured in the incident.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, with the group stating it targeted the homes of high-ranking officials.

In response to the attack, security forces in Baidoa conducted a sweep of the area on Wednesday morning. However, no arrests were made during the operation.

Baidoa, a town that has been under frequent threat from al-Shabab, is home to approximately 600,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom were forced to flee their homes due to the insurgency and ongoing drought, according to United Nations estimates.

Last year, al-Shabab imposed a weeklong blockade on Baidoa, cutting off supplies to and from the town before the blockade was eventually lifted.