Wednesday May 21, 2025
FILE — A general view of the village of Abooreey in Somalia’s Hiiraan region. The rural settlement has been the site of intense clashes between Ma’awiisley militia and al-Shabaab fighters.
Beledweyne (HOL) — Heavy fighting broke out early Wednesday in Abooreey, a village in Somalia's Hiiraan region, as Hawadle Ma'awiisley militia launched a multi-front assault against Al-Shabaab fighters entrenched in the area.
The locally organized militia attacked Al-Shabaab positions to reclaim control of the area. Residents reported sustained gunfire and explosions echoing for miles, signalling the intensity of the confrontation.
Casualty figures remain unconfirmed as the fighting continues, but sources indicate losses on both sides, including dead and wounded. The remote location and ongoing combat have made independent verification difficult.
Wednesday's assault follows closely on the heels of similar fighting on Tuesday near El Hareeri, another rural settlement in Hiiraan. In that clash, Ma'awiisley forces targeted Al-Shabaab fighters who had reportedly regrouped in the bushlands surrounding the area. Both battles are part of an increasingly coordinated campaign by community-based militias to dislodge Al-Shabaab from strongholds across central Somalia.
The Ma'awiisley —named after the traditional sarong worn by many of its fighters—has been central to local uprisings against the al-Qaeda-linked group. Though operating independently, the militia receives logistical support and encouragement from the Somali federal government, which has framed it as a key partner in efforts to reclaim rural territory.
Over the past four days, Ma'awiisley fighters have clashed repeatedly with Al-Shabaab along the border of Hiiraan and the neighbouring Middle Shabelle region. Local sources claim that more than 70 Al-Shabaab members have been killed in these confrontations, though exact figures have not been independently confirmed.
Despite losing control of major towns and cities, Al-Shabaab continues to exert influence in much of the Somali countryside. The group collects taxes, recruits fighters and uses remote terrain as a base for launching attacks on military and civilian targets.
Hiiraan Online will provide updates as more information becomes available.