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Somali government launches largest offensive against al-Shabaab in Hiiraan
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    Sunday January 26, 2025


    From left: Presidential Envoy for the Macawisley Militia Ali Jeyte Osman and NISA Chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sambaloolshe stand with Somali military officials on the front lines near Buula Burte, leading the largest offensive against Al-Shabaab in the Hiiraan region.

    Beledweyne (HOL) — The Somali Federal Government has launched its "most ambitious" offensive yet against Al-Shabaab in the Hiiraan region, mobilizing military and local forces in a bid to dismantle the militant group’s strongholds.

    Top officials, including National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sambaloolshe, Somali National Army (SNA) Ground Forces Commander Sahal Abdullahi Omar, and Presidential Envoy for the Macawisley Militia Ali Jeyte Osman, are leading the effort from the front lines near Buula Burte.

    The new offensive comes weeks after the Somali Federal Government assumed full control of the region’s security operations.

    “This is the time to finish what we started. You are tasked with playing a key role in the liberation of this nation. We must root out the enemy wherever they hide, even within our own ranks. Our mission is to confront Al-Shabaab directly and free the people enduring their brutality,” NISA Chief Sambaloolshe declared while addressing troops.

    Commander Sahal Abdullahi Omar emphasized the government’s readiness to support the mission, saying, “Today, you have an unprecedented opportunity. Previous delays allowed the enemy to regroup and re-emerge, but this time, we are fully prepared. The Somali government, the National Army, and intelligence forces stand united with you. We have ensured the provision of all necessary supplies—logistics, weapons, and reinforcements—to eliminate these Kharijites and secure the region,” he stated.

    Ali Jeyte Osman, President’s Special Envoy for the Macawisley MilitiaSomalia’s Special Envoy for Community Defense Forces, echoed these sentiments, urging troops to achieve concrete victories. “The nation expects tangible results from this operation. It’s time to demonstrate that we can secure Hiiraan from the grip of Al-Shabaab.”

    Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, has maintained a strong presence in Hiiraan for years. The group has disrupted security and governance through tactics such as forced taxation, recruitment of child soldiers, and attacks on civilians. The group imposed strict control over local communities, enforcing harsh measures such as forced taxation, conscription of young boys, and severe punishments for non-compliance. These oppressive practices have deeply affected the daily lives of residents and disrupted traditional clan structures.

    In 2022, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an “all-out war” against Al-Shabaab.

    A defining feature of this offensive is the active involvement of local clan militias, known as the Macawisley, which have played a pivotal role in countering Al-Shabaab, particularly in rural areas where government forces have limited reach. These grassroots community defence groups emerged as a direct response to Al-Shabaab’s oppressive practices. Locals say the origins of the Macawisley began in 2018 when Al-Shabaab militants seized the village of Gulane in Middle Shabelle, demanding money, rifles, and young boys from residents. One farmer, Hibaad Ali Dasar, refused to hand over his underage son, prompting the militants to confiscate his grain and burn his farm. This act of aggression galvanized local communities to form self-defence groups like the Macawisley, which have since partnered with the Somali National Army to reclaim territories and protect their livelihoods.

    “The Macawisley militias are critical to this fight,” said Ali Jeyte Osman, the Presidential Envoy for the militia. “Their local knowledge and resilience have made them indispensable in our efforts to restore security in Hiiraan.”

    Previous campaigns to reclaim Al-Shabaab-held areas in Hiiraan have been hindered by logistical challenges and delays, allowing the militants to regroup. This time, however, senior officials say presence on the front lines signals the government’s commitment to seeing the operation through.

     





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