Units of the Somali National Army (SNA), and Hirshabelle Dervish Forces are currently stationed in the outskirts of Masaajid Ali Guduud settlement in Middle Shabelle province while rival Al-Shabab fighters are also based in the town.
Rival Al-Shabab fighters are in the town after two Al-Shabab leaders had a fallout pertaining to the militant group raid on Wargaadhi settlement but the brave Somali National Army (SNA) foiled Al-Shabab’s attempt to take control of the settlement.
The fallout between the two Al-Shabab leaders created a tension within the settlement which led that some of the local residents fled from their residences.
Local residents have a fear that they will fall victim to the two rival Al-shabab groups that engaged armed confrontations.
The militant group of Al-shabab seized the town on the 26thof March, 2025.
The local residents who were displaced were returning to their residences in the past couple of weeks.
The residents fled from the settlement after Al-Shabab militants launched an attack against military base manned by the Somali Defense Forces and seized the town.
There is a possibility that fighting could erupt anytime between the two rival Al-Shabab functions that are stationed in the settlement.
The spokesman of the Ministry of Defense, Abuukar Ma’alin Mohamud told on last Monday that fighting broke out between two rival Al-Shabab leaders after they had a row over who was responsible for Al-Shabab’s aborted attack on Wargdaadhi settlement.
The spokesman said that Al-Shabab leaders named Abdulle Ali Araaye and Suleiman as one of them hails from Wargaadhi, while the other is a loyal aide to Yusuf Isse Kaba Kutukade, who is Al-Shabab governor for the Middle Shabelle province.
Somali Military and Hirshabelle Dervish forces are currently stationed in an area that is not far away from Masaajid Ali Guduud.
It is not clear when the Somali defense forces will move and launch an attack against Al-Shabab militants in the settlement.
Some of the Somali populace are asking why the Somali National Army (SNA) does not seize the opportunity of the fallout within Al-Shabab fighters in the settlement.
The Somali National Army (SNA) seized Masaajid Ali Guduud in October, 2022 after Somali army engaged prolonged fighting with Al-Shabab militants.
On 20th of Feb. Al-Shabab militants commenced to expand their presence in settlements and districts that were under the control of the Somali Defense forces,.
