Hundreds of Al-Shabab fighters took control of Moqokori district in a fierce fighting on Monday. The attack began with explosions that targeted the military basses of the Somali National Army (SNA) and Ma’awisley local defense forces that locate in the gate of the district.
A statement issued by the militant group of Al-Shabab said that its fighters captured Moqokori district that lies in the East of Hiiraan province. Reports say that heavily armed Al-Shabab fighters launched an attack on the district from Gumare settlement. Al-Shabab captured El-Qoohle settlement on June 29, 2025 and on Friday moved into Gumare settlement and took it control although the Somali troops backed by Ma’awisley forces retook the settlement.
The Somali National Army (SNA) and Ma’awisley forces could keep control of Gumare settlement which lies 10 km from Moqokori district. They went to El-Qoohle and troop reinforcements were travelling on the road that goes to El-Qoohle settlement for the past couple of days.
Al-Shabab’s intention was to sneak into Moqokori district before the allied troops reach El-Qoohle settlement. Al-Shabab dug trenches in the outskirts and in the settlement. It is not clear the reason Al-Shabab managed to sneak into Moqokori district while the allied troops were travelling on the road that goes to Gumare and El-Qoohle settlements.
Tension is running high due to the attack and it is noteworthy that the Somali National Army (SNA) and the local defense forces known as Ma’awisley forces who stationed in Moqokori retreated from the district. Most of the local residents living in Moqokori district were displaced from their residences due to a fear that Al-Shabab will target them as they were cooperating fully with the Somali troops.
On the other hand, reports from Hiiraan province say that troop mobilizations are underway in order to reclaim the district. Somali troops and Ma’awisley forces set up military bases in Moqokori district after Al-Shabab took control of Adan Yabaal district in Middle Shabelle province after a fierce fight.
Details are sketchy pertaining to the casualties but reports say that there are heavy casualties including deaths and injuries. This is the biggest attack that the militant group of Al-Shabab launched on Moqokori district ever since the Somali troops and local defense forces dislodged them from the district on Sept 29, 2022.
