Somalia: The Closer Look at Al-Shabaab’s Increasing Insurgency
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The town of Mahas in the Hiiraan region, known for its strategic significance, faces a critical moment. Al-Shabaab fighters are inching closer with a determination fueled by their successes in Moqokori, Adan Yabaal, Gumare, and Tardo. Could this momentum turn the tide against Somalia’s security forces?
Al-Shabaab is advancing from various directions, creating a scenario that threatens Mahas—a town previously pivotal for clan mobilization against the militants in 2022. Former Hiiraan governor, Ali Osman Jeyte, voiced similar apprehensions from Ethiopia not too long ago. His concerns resonate deeply with those aware of the regional dynamics.
Currently, Al-Shabaab is approaching from Wabho in Galgadud to the north, Moqokori, and Habino, toppling crucial frontlines along their path. Their eyes are clearly set on Mahas. Yet, one can’t help but wonder: what will this mean for the region’s stability?
The Macawislay, or clan militias, have seen their efforts dwindle, largely due to lacking support from Somalia’s federal government. Jeyte, once a prominent figure in the clan uprising, recently urged Somali regional troops stationed in Ethiopia to intervene, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Mahas was left exposed following the reduction of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Ethiopian troops, who had largely ensured the town’s safety, saw their presence significantly diminished. This withdrawal left Mahas vulnerable, opening avenues for insurgent advances.
The spiraling fall of Moqokori last month marked a significant setback, severely weakening both government and clan militia defenses. It’s almost like watching a carefully laid-out defense strategy unravel at the seams. Now, regions previously liberated are slipping back into the clutches of Al-Shabaab. This begs the question, how sustainable is the current defense approach?
Critics assert that the government’s priorities are askew, spotlighting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s focus on constitutional reforms over tackling violent extremism. “In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future,” Alvin Toffler once said. But what remains for those who are not adapting swiftly enough?
Al-Shabaab’s ambition to topple the fragile, UN-backed federal government stirs an unsettling narrative. While political maneuvers dominate, the fulcrum of Somali society grapples with escalating insurgencies. What moral duty does leadership hold, if not to first protect its people from immediate threats?
With these pressing uncertainties, Somalia stands at a crossroads. Whether the international community and Somalia’s leadership can recalibrate focus and consolidate forces against Al-Shabaab could define the nation’s path forward. Let us watch, reflect, and hope for resilience to prevail.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
