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Six killed in clashes between al-Shabaab and local forces in Somalia’s Hiiraan region


Thursday January 16, 2025


FILE - Local militia members, known as Ma’awisleey, patrol a rural area in Hiiraan region, Somalia, as part of ongoing efforts to counter Al-Shabaab insurgents. 

Mogadishu (HOL) — At least six people were killed in fierce fighting late Wednesday in Halaalay, a village near Halgan in Somalia's Hiiraan region, as local defence forces clashed with Al-Shabaab militants in the latest chapter of the country's prolonged battle against the Islamist group.

Two local militia fighters and four Al-Shabaab combatants were confirmed dead, according to a resident who spoke to Hiiraan Online. The skirmish, which erupted in the late afternoon, is part of a larger campaign by Somali federal forces and community militias to dislodge Al-Shabaab from its strongholds in central Somalia.

For weeks, sporadic clashes have flared along a corridor between Halgan and Bula Burte, disrupting daily life in an already fragile region. Al-Shabaab fighters, entrenched in positions east of the Shabelle River, have been crossing westward to launch attacks on local forces. Despite significant military pressure, the group maintains a foothold in Hiiraan, exploiting its rural terrain to resist government advances.

"These battles are taking a toll," said a local elder, who declined to be named for security reasons. "The people here want peace, but the fighting continues, and we're stuck in the middle."

Hiiraan has become one of the focal points of the Somali government's broader war on Al-Shabaab as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud intensifies his administration's efforts to weaken the group. Local militias, often referred to as Ma'awisleey, have played a crucial role in this campaign, reclaiming villages but facing stiff resistance from well-entrenched militants.

The violence underscores the challenges of achieving lasting stability in Somalia. While government forces make gains, Al-Shabaab adapts, retreating to remote areas and launching guerrilla-style attacks. The militant group's resilience has frustrated local and international efforts to secure regions like Hiiraan, where civilians remain vulnerable to both militant reprisals and the collateral damage of ongoing battles.

For now, the fighting continues, with little respite for the communities caught in its wake. While the Somali government has not issued an official statement on the Halaalay clashes, the region remains on edge, bracing for what could be more violence in the days ahead.



 





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