Reports from the Mudug region indicate that Al-Shabaab fighters have cut off the road linking the coastal towns of Hobyo and Harardhere, a vital corridor for public transport and trade connecting coastal settlements with the interior of the region.
According to Somali government officials, the disruption occurred in the areas situated between the two towns as part of the militant group’s ongoing attempts to obstruct troop movements and civilian transit.
Both Hobyo and Harardhere are located in the Mudug region under the administration of Galmudug State.
While government forces and local defense elements previously recaptured Harardhere, the surrounding rural hinterlands and connecting roadways have remained volatile, experiencing frequent security incidents and military maneuvers.
This road closure directly threatens local communities and villages along the route who rely on overland transport to travel between Hobyo and Harardhere.
It also poses severe hurdles for commercial supply chains and the delivery of essential humanitarian services to the area.
These recent movements also coincide with reports from early September 2026 indicating insurgent activity by Al-Shabaab on the outskirts of Harardhere.
Armed fighters from the group were spotted in the rural areas between Harardhere, Hobyo, and Ceeldheer, though the exact number of combatants and their specific locations could not be independently verified.
Additionally, another report published on September 6 stated that Al-Shabaab military movements were detected in areas near Harardhere, specifically in the territory between Farah Adan, Dabagalo, and Dumaaye.
That report noted that forces stationed in Harardhere had heightened their vigilance and patrols, though it remained unconfirmed whether those movements constituted preparations for an attack.
The roads connecting the towns and districts of central Somalia have long been targeted by armed groups seeking to ambush vehicles and security forces.
The EUAA noted that Al-Shabaab retains the capacity in numerous parts of Somalia to disrupt critical roadways and transit corridors, frequently through the establishment of illegal checkpoints or targeted assaults.
The situation along the Hobyo-Harardhere road also carries profound humanitarian consequences. Restricted road access directly impacts the delivery of food, water, medical supplies, and other essential social services.
The EUAA has previously documented that humanitarian access to parts of Harardhere and southern Hobyo has been heavily constrained by insecurity, active clashes, and transit restrictions.
The Somali government has recently intensified operations aimed at reinforcing security across central regions, with state security forces and local defense elements actively operating throughout parts of Mudug.
Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab continues its persistent efforts to maintain a disruptive presence across the rural hinterlands and vital supply routes.