As Discord Escalates in Hirshabelle, SNA Troops Desert Stations Following the El Baraf Incident

In Jowhar, a city in Somalia, storm clouds of conflict are gathering over the Hirshabelle State, as tensions rise following a deadly assault. On a seemingly ordinary Thursday, six soldiers from the Hawadle clan met their tragic end when they were ambushed in El Baraf, located in Middle Shabelle. These soldiers were on their way from their base when danger emerged in the form of armed Abgaal clan militia. The ambush claimed the lives of all six, while a seventh soldier survived but has since been missing.

This assault, with its roots in deep-seated clan disputes, was acknowledged by Jalalaqsi District Commissioner, Nuur Dheere. He noted that the attack wasn’t just a coincidence; the soldiers were targeted due to their clan ties.

These brave souls were part of the Ma’awisley militia hailing from the Hiiraan region, who had joined the Somali national army’s ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab, a militant group.

The President of Hirshabelle State, Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe, did not mince words when condemning the attack. “A truly barbaric and un-Islamic act,” he declared, horrified by the breach of Somali cultural ethos and fundamental human rights. With a sense of urgency, he directed security forces to capture those responsible within just one day, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

The attack has exacerbated long-standing tensions between the governments of Hirshabelle State and various Hiiraan clans.

El Baraf, already simmering with conflict due to tensions between the Hawadle and Abgaal militias, is now on the brink of further destabilization. The aftermath of the ambush prompted over 250 Somali National Army troops from the Hawadle clan to walk away from their positions in Hawadley village, a strategic locality just 18 kilometers shy of Jowhar, the heart of Hirshabelle.

Hawadley isn’t just a mere village; it’s a crucial stronghold for Jowhar, with Somali forces stationed there to push back against Al-Shabaab warriors. The abrupt exit of the Hawadle soldiers from their posts raises significant security concerns for Jowhar, serving as a stark protest about the El Baraf incident.

Adding another layer to this tense narrative, visual evidence shows Khalid Sheikh Abdullahi alongside Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbalolshe arriving in town.

On Friday, in a decisive move, the Director of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, also known as Sanbalolshe, and the SNA Infantry Commander Khalid Abdullahi flew into Jowhar from Mogadishu by helicopter. Sanbalolshe, a kin of the Hawadle clan, and Khalid Abdullahi, who boasts a storied past as a former Al-Shabaab member turned Jubaland intelligence chief before ascending to his current role, are reportedly heading to Hawadley. Their mission: to diffuse brewing animosity and coax the Hawadle forces back to their bases.

In response to the unfolding drama, President Guudlawe convened a rapid-response meeting with his council of advisers and tribal elders over cocoa and conversations. Casually mentioned by sources, the goal of this conclave was to devise a methodical plan to grapple with the escalating crisis and restore serenity.

According to whisperings inside the regional president’s office, there’s talk of offering ‘diya,’ a form of traditional blood money, to the Hawadle clan. This gesture could be pivotal in calming the storm, as it involves the Abgaal elders teaming up with Hirshabelle State authorities in a potential peace offering.

But the ripples of this crisis spread far beyond Middle Shabelle. In Beledweyne, workers at the Hirshabelle tax collection office in Bundo Weyne have left their stations, effectively handing over to their counterparts from the rival Hiiraan State. This gesture has been perceived as a stand against the killings in El Baraf; however, local officials express hope for pacifying diminished tempers and restoring order.

In the eye of the brewing storm, the Hirshabelle State and its clans walk a tightrope, balancing unrest and the longing for peace in these trying times.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring