**Beledweyne (AX)** — A precarious standoff is currently taking shape in central Somalia. Tensions have escalated as Al-Shabab militants appear to be mobilizing near the town of Ceel Baraf, seemingly aiming to seize control of a vital transport corridor that links the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions. This unsettling development has elicited a prompt and determined response from government-aligned militias, demonstrating the urgency and gravity of the situation.
According to local sources and regional officials, fighters from the Somali paramilitary group Macawiisleey have steadily bolstered their positions in the villages of Qoryaale and Xalfooley, both located within the Jalalaqsi district. Their actions were prompted by intelligence reports indicating that Al-Shabab is orchestrating a coordinated offensive targeting the Jidka Jaayga highway—a critical roadway that connects Jalalaqsi to Ceel Baraf in Middle Shabelle. Why is control of this highway so vital? The answer lies in its role as a lifeline for transport and logistics between these two key regions.
The militant group is reportedly gathering its fighters in the vicinity of Ceel Baraf, a town it briefly reclaimed during an offensive earlier this July. This operation, part of Al-Shabab’s ongoing “2025 Shabelle Offensive,” has already seen the group recapture several villages and strategically important supply routes across Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle. Just last week, Al-Shabab executed a successful takeover of Moqokori, a major transport hub in eastern Hiiraan, marking what security officials described as a significant territorial gain—one that hadn’t been achieved by the group in over three years.
In response to this escalating threat, the Macawiisleey fighters, community-based militia forces allied with the Somali federal government, have mobilized heavily to Qoryaale and Xalfooley villages. These areas are not just points on a map; they are strategic nerve centers, critical for the defense of the larger Jalalaqsi region. Witnesses and residents describe an intense buildup of militia forces over the past few hours, with troops securing their positions and erecting checkpoints aimed at preventing any infiltration from Al-Shabab.
Local officials report that the militia now maintains full control over the area. This has reportedly instilled a sense of relief among residents, who, after years of turmoil, are cautiously hopeful. The promise of safety, however tentative, is often a beacon during dark times. As one local elder remarked, “We no longer want to live in fear. We just want our children to have a future.” Can we grasp the weight of such a simple yet profound wish in the larger tapestry of conflict?
Al-Shabab, an affiliate of al-Qaida, possesses a long-standing history of targeting road networks and strategic junctions. This is not merely a tactic; it’s central to their strategy for disrupting both federal and regional governance. They have increasingly leaned on their ability to control rural routes, employing these advantages not just to resupply their fighters but also to impose taxes on local populations. It’s a strategy that makes us wonder: how much control do such groups seek, and at what cost to those who simply wish to live their lives in peace?
Navigating through these turbulent waters demands not just military might but also a collective commitment to rebuild and uphold community resilience. As events unfold, one can only hope that the people of this region find the strength to endure and the courage to aspire for a brighter future.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
