Alarming Advances by Al-Shabaab in Somalia

In recent developments, the militant group Al-Shabaab has made significant strides, capturing strategic locations in central and southern Somalia. From Birta Mudan village in the Hiiraan region to Sabiid and Anoole near the bustling city of Mogadishu, alarms are ringing regarding the growing insecurity and a seemingly absent federal response.

Imagine waking up one morning to find your village unexpectedly overrun, a scenario that unfolded on Wednesday in Birta Mudan, roughly 26 kilometers from Maxaas town. One resident, now a refugee in his own homeland, shared with Kaab TV how heavily armed militants appeared, seemingly from nowhere, advancing on foot.

It’s unsettling to think—how does one decide to stay and fight or choose the perilous journey to refuge? The local Macawisley militia, often seen as the first line of community defense, made the difficult decision to withdraw ahead of the militant onslaught. Consequently, waves of civilians, fearing the notorious brutality of reprisals, fled, seeking shelter in Maxaas.

As tensions escalate, whispers in Maxaas speak of looming threats. Is it next on Al-Shabaab’s list? By afternoon, skirmishes erupted on the peripheries of Maxaas between the militant fighters and the ever-resilient Macawisley militias. However, the human cost of these confrontations remains elusive, with casualty figures still unconfirmed.

Just last month, Al-Shabaab marked another victory by seizing Moqokori village, tightening their grip and exacerbating regional instability. The Hawadle clan’s Macawisley militia, integral to local security efforts, expressed their frustration—claiming the Federal Government’s lack of military and logistical backing has left them vulnerable. “Why fight if our own leaders seem indifferent to our plight?” is a question haunting many.

Interestingly, the Somali Federal Government remains silent. One can’t help but ask, at what point does silence become complicity?

Al-Shabaab’s Presence Near Mogadishu

In yet another concerning episode, Al-Shabaab fighters moved into the villages of Sabiid and Anoole in Lower Shabelle on Sunday. This area is a mere 7 kilometers from Afgoye and about 35 kilometers from Mogadishu—a city that symbolizes Somali resilience and aspiration.

Picture this: Ugandan troops, once a reliable bulwark under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), withdrew, leaving a security vacuum now filled by Al-Shabaab. An eyewitness described to Kaab TV how militants nonchalantly occupied district administration offices, the police station, and even a local market recently built with USAID’s assistance.

Yet, in face of this takeover, both the South West State authorities and the Federal Government have remained curiously silent, despite the villages’ strategic importance and proximity to Mogadishu.

The implications are far-reaching. Al-Shabaab’s bolstered presence along the crucial Mogadishu–Jowhar corridor is likely to impact movement and trade significantly, straining ties between the capital and the Hirshabelle regional administration.

As security officials in Mogadishu sound alarms over potential terror attacks, one must ponder the resilience of a city and its people perpetually on edge. How long can they withstand such constant threats?