Reports from Hiiraan region say that massive troops were deployed in the mountain areas between Buuloburde and Halgan towns as Somali troops launch relentless attacks against Al-Shabab militants that briefly seized Aboorey settlement on Sunday night.
Al-shabab’s brief seizure caused tension in the East of Hiiraan region. The Somali government started operations to flush out Al-shabab militants from the districts.
Somali Military officers understand that Al-Shabab’s objective was to move into Yasooman settlement in order to take control the road that links Yasooman and Maxaas district.
Somali Military Command reinforced the defense positions of the Somali National Army (SNA) stationed in Yasooman settlement in a bid to prevent Al-shabab militants to move into mountain areas in Yasooman settlement.
Somali troops stationed in Waabeyn and Xalaaley settlements were on high alert after reports emerged that reinforcements reached Al-Shabab militants from the West of Hiiran province and crossed from Jicibow settlement.
Waabeyn and Xalaaleyn settlements are areas where the Somali troops protect the security of the major road linking Halgan and Buuloburde towns.
The Ma’awisley forces have been stationed in the area for the last couple of years.
Somali troops were seen in areas in Buurta Wareertire which lies in between Buuloburde and Halgan towns and is located on the side of the long road that connects Buuloburde and Beledweyne towns.
The Somali Military Command remains vigilant when it comes to the possibility of mobile Al-Shabab fighters to move into the mountain areas surrounding the major road.
The return of Al-Shabab to mountain areas will be a constraint to the movement of traffic of the road which is one of the busiest in the region.
The Somali gov’t and the Military Command have the feeling that Al-shabab militants will conduct attacks in the East of Hiiran region as the militants conducted attacks in the East of Middle Shabelle province.
Local residents remember that it took three years to flush out Al-Shabab militants from the mountain areas that the Somali troops reinforced their presence and this is what the Somali government is doing all it can to prevent that from happening.
The Somali military is also doing all its power to prevent Al-shabab militants to reinforce their presence in the East of Hiiran region.
It is not yet clear whether it will delay the liberation operations which are aimed to drive out Al-Shabab militants from Hirshabelle districts.
The Somali army backed by Ma’awisley forces launched an attack against Al-Shabab militants that raided Aboorey settlement and to prevent the group to carry out attacks in the region.
