Reports from Hiiraan province say that Al-shabab launched an attack on Moqokori district. Al-Shabab began the raid with explosions which targeted a military base manned by Somali National Army (SNA) and Ma’awisley local defense forces that are stationed in the outskirts of Moqokori district. Reports say that fighting ensued between Al-Shabab and the Somali National Army (SNA) backed by Ma’awisley local defense forces which spread in the district.
Al-shabab fighters sneaked while the Somali National Army (SNA) and Ma’awisley forces were trying to dislodge the militant group of Al-shabab from El-Qoohle settlement in which they took control on June 29, 2025. Tension is running high in the district and this is the biggest attempt that Al-Shabab wanted to take control of the district after they were dislodged from the district three years ago. The Somali National Army (SNA) and local defense forces known as Ma’awisley captured Moqokori district on Sept. 25, 2022.
Al-Shabab launched fresh attacks on settlements that are under the authority of Moqokori district; however, they were defeated in their attempts in which they wanted to capture El-Hareeri settlement which is the first gate that they can move into the district. Al-Shabab captured El-Qoohle settlement on June 29, 2025 and later on Friday moved into Gumare settlement that lies in the outskirts of Moqokori district. The Somali National Army (SNA) and Ma’awisley forces established military base in Moqokori district in April, 2025, and Al-Shabab militant took control of Adan Yabaal district after they engaged a fierce fighting with Somali National Army (SNA) and Ma’awisley forces.
Al-Shabab’s capture of Adan Yabaal district has facilitated the militant group to put pressure on settlements that are under the authority of Moqokori district as they lie in the border between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle provinces. The coalition forces captured Gumare settlement after fierce clashes with Al-Shabab and later went to El-Qoohle settlement.
El-Qoohle settlement has become the only gate that Al-shabab can reach Moqokori district and they see it as a strategic location that can link Al-Shabab fighters from Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan and Galgudud provinces. Al-Shabab launched their attacks on Moqokori district after they captured Yasooman settlement which is under the authority of Buuloburde town. They failed to open Yasooman road which connects Moqokori, Mahaas and goes to the East of Galgudud province. Al-Shabab launched attacks in a row to El-Hareeri settlement. The attacks began with explosions, but they failed to remain control of El-Hareeri settlement.
The reason Al-Shabab attacked El-Hareeri settlement is that it is the gate to Moqokori district, but all their attempts ended in vain due to the strong resistance from Ma’awisley forces. Al-Shabab renewed its bid to take control of Moqokori district and launched attacks on El-Qoohle.
