Sunday September 1, 2024
Ma'awisley militia fighters patrol a dirt road in the Halgan district of Hiiraan region, Somalia, following a successful operation to recapture key areas from Al-Shabaab militants. The local forces, armed with light weapons, continue their advance alongside Somali National Army troops to secure the region. (Photo Credit: Hiiraan Online
Mogadishu (HOL) — Ma'awisley militia have recaptured six strategic locations from Al-Shabaab in the Halgan district of Hiiraan region, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The operation targeted key hideouts that Al-Shabaab had secretly established along the Shabelle River, which were integral to their operations in the area. The militants reportedly fled across the river as the militias advanced, abandoning their defensive positions, which are now under Ma'awisley 's control.
An official from the Ma'awisley militia described the operation as an essential step in weakening Al-Shabaab's grip on the region. "We had intelligence that Al-Shabaab fighters were regrouping along the riverbank. When they realized we were approaching, they fled, and our forces have secured the positions they left behind," the official said.
This effort is part of a campaign led by the Somali National Army and local militias to liberate western Hiiraan from Al-Shabaab's control. Preparations for the final phase of this offensive are reportedly in progress to eradicate the remaining militant strongholds in the region.
The recapture of these strategic sites is expected to disrupt Al-Shabaab's ability to operate in Hiiraan by cutting off their access to the Shabelle River, a vital supply route. The success of this operation is seen as a pivotal development in the broader struggle for peace and stability in Somalia.