6/25/2025
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Ma’awisley fighters advance on Al-Shabaab stronghold in central Somalia
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    Monday May 19, 2025



    Mogadishu (HOL) — Ma’awisley militia forces from Somalia’s Hiiraan region are advancing toward the Al-Shabaab-held district of Aadan Yabaal in Middle Shabelle.

    The offensive comes after two days of heavy clashes between Ma’awisley fighters and Al-Shabaab militants near the border between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle. Commanders say their forces are now positioned just outside Aadan Yabaal, a strategic town that has long served as a logistics hub for Al-Shabaab operations in central Somalia.

    Reinforcements from across Hiiraan, including Moqokori, Mahaas, Jalalaqsi, and Buuloburde, have converged on the area, with community militias preparing to launch what local leaders describe as a “final push” to retake the district.

    “Our forces are ready to liberate Aadan Yabaal,” a Ma’awisley commander told local media. “This is not just about territory—it’s about securing our people from years of fear and extortion.”

    Aadan Yabaal has remained partially under Al-Shabaab control despite ongoing federal military campaigns. Its location, straddling key transport routes, makes it vital for both militant and government forces. It would mark a symbolic and tactical blow to the group’s presence in Middle Shabelle if recaptured.

    While the Somali federal government has not issued an official statement on the latest advance, it has previously endorsed the Ma’awisley movement as a grassroots complement to national counterinsurgency operations.

    The Ma’awisley militia, composed primarily of local volunteers, has gained a reputation for spearheading offensives in rural areas often overlooked by formal security forces. Their resilience and local support have become a player in Somalia’s evolving conflict landscape.

    The battle for Aadan Yabaal continues to draw widespread attention across Somalia, as residents closely follow the progress of the offensive. Independent verification of battlefield developments remains limited due to restricted access.

     





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