The militant group of Al-Shabab failed in their attempts to open the road that links Yasooman and Aboorey settlements that are under the administration of Buulo Burde district in Hiiraan region. Al-shabab fighters who were under siege in Yasooman settlement for the past two months launched an attack against Ma’awisley forces who set up defense positions in the road that connects Yasooman And Aboorey settlements on 23rd April, 2025.
Aboorey settlement was the only route that logistics, food and reinforcements could reach Al-shabab fighters that are under siege in Yasooman settlement while the road that links Yasooman settlement to Moqokori district was closed.
Reports say that Al-shabab fighters attacked yesterday Ma’awisley forces that are based near Yasooman settlement, but failed to open the road after they met strong resistance from Ma’awisley local defense forces. Reports further indicate that Al-Shabab fighters later returned to Yasooman settlement. Al-Shabab fighters tried on the 13th May, 2025 to open the road: However, it was not possible for them due to the strong resistance from Ma’awisley forces from Hiiraan region.
Ma’awisley forces obstructed that Al-Shabab fighters in Yasooman have links with their fighters in Aboorey settlement. Al-Shabab captured Aboorey settlement on 6th April, 2025 while the group took control of Yasooman settlement on 16th April, 2025.
The attack came after Ma’awisley forces pushed Al-Shabab fighters from El-Hareeri settlement which is under Moqokori district in Hiiraan region. Al-Shabab attacked El-Hareeri settlement on the 4th June, 2025 although Ma’awisley forces and the Somali National Army (SNA) took hours to dislodge the militant group of Al-Shabab from the settlement.
Ma’awisley forces in conjunction with the Somali National Army (SNA) on Thursday and Friday chased Al-Shabab remnants that attacked El-Hareeri settlement. The fighting also took place in Garas Magan which is close to El-Hareeri and is among the settlements that lie in the border area between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle provinces.
The attack that the militant group of Al-Shabab launched on El-Hareeri settlement on last Wednesday was the third one in which they wanted to take over the settlement as it is the gate to Moqokori district. The reason why Al-Shabab militants intensified its attacks against El-Hareeri settlement was to minimize the pressure from Al-shabab fighters that are under siege in Yasooman settlement, and in a bid to link Al-Shabab fighters that are stationed in Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan and Galguduud provinces.
The road that lies in between Yasooman and Moqokori district which goes to Mahaas also links to Daco, Wahbo and El-Buur settlements in Galguduud province. Al-shabab believes that its fighters in Hirshabelle and Galmudug will not have connections unless they capture Moqokori district and the road will not be open which links Moqokori district to Yasooman settlement.
Ma’awisley is a force to be reckoned with since they foiled Al-Shabab’s attempts and were established to support and fight alongside with the Somali National Army (SNA) in their fight against the militant group of Al-shabab. Ma’awisley forces are vigilant when it comes to the movement of troops that Al-shabab commenced in Adan Yabaal district and Tawakal settlement. There is a possibility that the militant group of Al-shabab will attack El-Hareeri settlement.
It seems that Al-Shabab is giving a priority to El-Hareeri settlement which lies in a strategic location, and links Moqokori and Adan Yabaal districts. Al-shabab is exerting maximum efforts not to lose the control of Adan Yabaal district in Middle Shabelle province before they reach their target which is to have a route that links Hirshabellwe to Galmudug. In order Al-shabab to reach their strategic goal in the war, it is not known how they can overpower Ma’awisley forces.
