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Federal forces to target 'illegal' militias and roadblocks to reclaim Beledweyne's security
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    Thursday January 9, 2025


    Federal and local leaders, including Army Chief General Odawaa Yusuf Raage and NISA Director Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, meet with Hawadle clan elders in Beledweyne to discuss transferring security responsibilities to federal forces and addressing long-standing grievances in the Hiiraan region.

    Mogadishu (HOL) — Beledweyne, once a vibrant trade hub in central Somalia, now stands as a city paralyzed by insecurity, illegal roadblocks, and governance failures. Somalia's federal government has taken control of security operations, aiming to restore stability in the troubled Hiiraan region.

    The federal government's intervention follows the El Baraf clashes, where several soldiers were killed in militia-led attacks.

    Earlier this week, a federal delegation led by Army Chief General Odawaa Yusuf Raage and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Director Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe brokered an agreement with Hawadle clan leaders to hand over security responsibilities in Beledweyne to federal forces. 

    "People question my ability to secure Beledweyne, asking how I can protect the nation if this city remains unstable," said Sanbaloolshe during a meeting with local elders. "We cannot accept militias carrying weapons in the city or roadblocks impeding progress. It is time to entrust security to federal forces."

    The decision comes after years of instability in Beledweyne, marked by armed militia rivalries, clan disputes, and governance challenges. 

    Armed militias have long exploited the region's political divisions, erecting illegal checkpoints that have strangled commerce and left residents trapped in a cycle of fear. "Today, Beledweyne is a city without movement or life," said MP Abdirahman Ahmed Osman (Gureey), who represents Hiiraan in Somalia's parliament.

    Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to visit Beledweyne in the coming days to reinforce the federal government’s commitment to addressing the underlying political grievances fueling instability. Mohamud is meeting with traditional elders, intellectuals, youth, and women from the Hawadle clan to promote dialogue aimed at addressing these grievances.

    Residents of Hiiraan have long voiced dissatisfaction with the 2016 formation of Hirshabelle state, which they claim marginalized their region.

    Federal officials say they are optimistic that resolving political disputes will pave the way for long-term stability.

    General Odawaa praised the Hawadle clan’s historical role in resisting Al-Shabaab and called for unity in stabilizing Beledweyne. “This struggle must now translate into a unified effort to secure Beledweyne and restore its status as a vibrant economic and political center,” he said.

    Somalia's newly-minted Minister of Petroleum and Minerals Dahir Shire Mohamed echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the connection between security and governance. “Beledweyne’s current situation is untenable. Security must come first, clearing the way for political resolution and improved services,” he stated.

    “The President has conveyed a clear message: security must be restored under federal oversight, and then we will work to address and rectify grievances,” said Hiiraan MP Abdirahman Ahmed Osman (Gureey).

     





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