Local defense forces known as Ma’awsiley have stepped up operations that they conducted in Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle province. They are active in the East of Hirshabelle while they engaged armed clashes with Al-Shabab militants and launched anti-Al-Shabab offensives. Reports say that the local defense forces are operating as mobile forces like Al-Shabab and launch attacks against settlements that the Somali National Army liberated from the militants previously but recaptured them.
The Somali National Army (SNA) and local Ma’awisley forces that have been operating in the provinces indicate that they changed the way they used to conduct operations after the gov’t troops lost strategic town of Adan Yabaal district on the 16th of April, 2025. The Somali troops withdrew from Yasooman and Aboorey settlements although the local defense forces commenced operations which are aimed to drive out Al-shabab militants from Aboorey and Yasooman settlements which are under the administration of Buuloburde town.
The Somali National Army is not involved in the operations that are underway in Yasooman and Aboorey settlements. The Somali Military joined the operations that Ma’awisley forces are trying to drive out Al-Shabab militants from Aboorey settlement which lies 30 km North of Buuloburde town although they returned to Buuloburde and Halgan towns.
The local defense forces blocked all roads leading to Aboorey so as to prevent the reinforcements reaching the militant group from other settlements. They are stationed the road linking these settlements and took the arms so as to bring an end to Al-Shabab militants who are intending to stay there. Al-Shabab’s presence in the settlement pose a security threat to the East of Hiiraan region.
The Somali Military Officers and the leadership of the Ma’awisley forces tell that the local defense forces took over the responsibility of carrying out operations that the Somali National Army (SNA) used to conduct in the East of Hirshabelle province. The Somali Military send the local Ma’awisley forces to the frontlines although the Somali National Army (SNA) provide reinforcements if need be.
Units of the Somali National Army (SNA) joined the counterattack in which the local defense forces recaptured Ceel-Hareeri settlement and later moved into areas in Mabaax and Tawakal settlements which lie in the border region of Hiiraan. On the other hand, the local Ma’awisley forces that were mobilized in Jowhar commenced operations in settlements that lie in the West of Jowhar town.
The media understand that the local Ma’awisley forces hailing from the West of Middle Shabelle province are intended to push Al-Shabab militants from Geed-Cadlow, Gamboole, Makuudaale, Carmooley and Cilaanley settlements. Al-Shabab militants recently reinforced their presence in liberated areas in the province which they seized settlements that are under the administration of Jowhar.
The local Ma’awisley forces who are trekking carry out ambush attacks against the militant group of Al-Shabab that are preoccupied to continue attacks which are aimed to destabilize areas where the Somali troops drove out the militants. The plan of the local Ma’awisley forces is to constantly conduct operations in the West of Shabelle River and which lie in the West of Jowhar town.
The Somali Military Command wants the new operations to prevent the attacks in which the militant group of Al-shabab is expanding its control in Hirshabelle. The Military Command has problems when it comes to thwarting the attacks that the militant group carry out.
The local Ma’awisley forces since the outset of the first phase of operations which are aimed to liberate Al-Shabab from the region are fighting alongside the Somali National Army (SNA). The usefulness of the local Ma’awisley forces has been seen three years ago.
They extended a helping hand in the war against Al-shabab militants where large swathes of land in Hirshabelle and Galmudug have been flushed out. The militant group of Al-shabab retook settlements and districts that have been driven out. The Somali Military became aware that the local Ma’awisley forces were good at fighting against the militant group of Al-Shabab when it comes to the first phase of the operations and that is why the Somali Federal Gov’t is arming them. The Somali Military provides salaries to thousands of local Ma’awsiley forces which the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) registered.
