Reports from Hiiraan region say that fierce fighting took place yesterday in the vicinity of El-Hareeri settlement which is under Moqokori district. The fighting was between the Somali National Army (SNA), backed by local Ma’awsiley forces and the militant group of Al-Shabab. The fighting broke out after Al-shabab fighters launched an attack against a military base manned by Somali troops and located between Moqokori district and Adan Yabaal district in Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle provinces.
Reports say that the two sides engaged in a fighting on several times and lasted up to yesterday evening. Reliable sources say that the Somali troops strongly resisted against the militant group of Al-Shabab. Reports further indicate that the militant group of Al-shabab tried to take control the settlement by force and later planned to move into El-Hareeri settlement, but it was not possible for the militant group of Al-Shabab to do so.
Reports further point out that Somali troops received reinforcements from many settlements in Hiiraan region which prevented the militant group of Al-shabab to achieve their goal. The militant group of Al-shabab launched an attack from multiple directions against El-Hareeri settlement and its environs on May 2, 2025.
Al-shabab’s main objective was to take control the settlement but their mission was foiled. The militant group of Al-shabab took control of Yasooman settlement on April 16, 2025 after they moved from Aboorey settlement which is next to Yasooman. Local defense forces known as Ma’awisley established bases in the road between Yasooman and Aboorey settlements in April.
They cut off Al-shabab’s movement between Yasooman and Aboorey. Aboorey was the only settlement that Al-Shabab militants in Yasooman could receive logistics and reinforcements. The road from Yasooman and that goes to Moqokori and Mahaas was closed. Al-Shabab militants stationed in Yasooman on last Tuesday launched an attack against local Ma’awisley forces that are stationed in the Haud area between Yasooman and Aboorey settlements, but failed to open the road in order to receive a route where they can get reinforcements.
The reason why Al-Shabab came to Yasooman was to take control of Yasooman road which links Moqokori and Mahaas districts which also opens to East of Galguduud region. Al-Shabab militants are putting a lot of pressure on the settlements that are under Moqokori district. They want to have a route for Al-Shabab militants in Yasooman, but the Somali National Army (SNA) and local Ma’awisley forces foiled their mission. Reports say that 20 Al-Shabab militants were killed while 5 government troops died in the latest fighting that occurred in the vicinity of Al-Hareeri.
