Somalia: Al-Shabaab goes for Mahas as insurgency increases

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Al-Shabaab fighters are reportedly closing in on the strategic town of Mahas, which is located within the Hiiraan region, following a series of victories in Moqokori, Adan Yabaal, Gumare, and Tardo, in what could lead to the eventual defeat of security forces.

The militants are pushing from multiple points in what could lead to the eventual fall of the strategic town, once used for clan mobilisation against the militants in 2022. Former Hiiraan governor Ali Osman Jeyte expressed similar concerns recently in Ethiopia.

At the moment, the Al-Shabaab fighters are closing in from Wabho in Galgadud from the north, Moqokori and Habino as well, running over important frontlines in the process. The advances are said to be strategic towards the capture of Mahas.

The clan militias commonly known as Macawislay have reduced their onslaught against Al-Shabaab due to a lack of support from the federal government of Somalia. Jeyte, who was the face of the clan uprising, recently asked Somali regional troops in Ethiopia to cross over and rescue Hiiraan.

The town was left exposed following the drawdown of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) — the Ethiopian troops had been taking care of the town before their numbers were drastically reduced.

The militant advance follows the dramatic fall of Moqokori town earlier last month, a key blow that significantly undermined government and allied clan militia defenses in the region. With resistance crumbling, Al-Shabaab has been able to retake vast areas once liberated by Somali forces during the height of the 2022 offensive.

Al-Shabaab militants have continued to make immense gains in the recent past, with the government of Somalia accused of prioritising political stalemate instead of investing in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is pushing for constitutional changes and is accused of diverting resources to the course instead of focusing on the fight against violent extremism. The al-Shabaab is fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE