Shabab militia seizecity of Baidoa

Islamic insurgents loyal to the Shabab militia seized Baidoa (located 155 mi/250 km west of Mogadishu) on 26 January 2009, gaining control over the airport and Somalia's Parliament building. Ethiopian troops that were previously in Baidoa withdrew on 25 January, and on 26 January, after a brief clash with government militiamen, the Shabab militia managed to take over the city.