The Tumultuous Times in Xawaadley: A Town on the Brink

On an ordinary Monday, a cloud of uncertainty descended upon Xawaadley, a small town a stone’s throw away from Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The abrupt withdrawal of African Union (AUSSOM) troops left the town vulnerable, setting off a series of events that have now plunged Xawaadley into chaos.

Consider this: How does a community respond when its protective forces vanish overnight? In this case, residents took matters into their own hands, leading to widespread looting of medicine, food, and fuel—even the town’s sole ambulance wasn’t spared. Al-Shabaab militants quickly seized control, facing no resistance.

Local security officer Abdullahi Ibrahim recounted the pandemonium. “The MCH center—our only source of healthcare support—was ransacked. The medical supplies and power generator, gifts from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), vanished before our eyes,” he shared.

A video clip surfacing online paints a surreal picture of young men and women rushing into the facility, plundering everything they could lay their hands on. The urgency and chaos are palpable, echoing a sentiment of desperation and defiance. It poses an unsettling question: When institutions fail, how do everyday people adapt?

Interestingly, Al-Shabaab, upon taking over, returned the ambulance. But, this move did little to change the stark reality: Xawaadley was now under their grip.

Looting didn’t end there. The nearby Burundian forces’ base met a similar fate. The scene was almost cinematic as both residents and militants scavenged for necessities left behind amid the speedy retreat.

#Somalia Update: In the midst of this turmoil, Kaab TV tweeted a moment captured at the MCH, where once tranquil hallways turned into scenes of pandemonium as locals scrambled to grab medical supplies. “Local officials also…” the tweet continued, leaving anticipation in its wake. pic.twitter.com/VP2ZGY77eY

The air was thick with a sense of foreboding as reports of an imminent Al-Shabaab attack began to circulate. In spite of this menacing backdrop, AUSSOM confirmed their decision to withdraw was partly due to a helicopter malfunction.

“During the evacuation, one of our helicopters had a technical issue. Yet, our pilots skillfully ensured a safe landing,” stated an AU mission spokesperson. Despite their assurances, images from the scene tell a different tale. Al-Shabaab fighters were seen atop the undamaged helicopter, posing triumphantly. What happened next remains shrouded in mystery.

“Why land here? In a known Al-Shabaab territory? And where are the pilots?” asked Ibrahim Nur, a district elder who escaped the chaotic handover. His questions echo the thoughts of many watching this drama unfold.

Even former Hirshabelle president Ali Abdullahi Osoble voiced skepticism. “Xawaadley, far from any river, was supposedly flooded? I find this hard to believe,” he critiqued, hinting at deeper motives behind the withdrawal.

Alarmed by intelligence of a significant offensive, Burundian troops had urgently telegraphed for extraction. As they left, Somali forces and allied militias withdrew too, leaving the town open for Al-Shabaab’s advance. This raises more questions about the coordination and communication among peacekeeping forces.

The Somali federal government has yet to comment officially on Xawaadley’s fall. Nevertheless, Defense Minister Ahmed Fiqi acknowledged the dire resource constraints. His plea resounded, “The forces lack sufficient ammunition. We plead for international support to combat Al-Shabaab’s growing threat.”

As Xawaadley’s future hangs in the balance, its story highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable communities caught in the crossfire. How can international alliances better protect these regions? And what lessons can be learned to avoid such power vacuums in the future?

The unfolding stories of Xawaadley might well serve as a wake-up call—a poignant reminder of vulnerability in conflict zones and of the resilient spirit of its people.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.