MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The Al-Shabaab militant group on Monday seized control of Xawaadley village, located northeast of the Somali capital Mogadishu, hours after African Union forces withdrew from the area due to severe flooding, residents and officials confirmed.
The village, situated in the Middle Shabelle region, is of strategic importance as it lies along the corridor between Mogadishu and Jowhar.
It had served as a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as well as a key defensive position for the Somali National Army (SNA) to prevent militant advances toward the capital and the state capital of Hirshabelle.
Local residents said heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters entered the village Monday afternoon, hours after Burundian troops under AUSSOM withdrew due to rising floodwaters.
In a statement, AUSSOM confirmed the evacuation:
“Burundian troops stationed at Xawaadley Forward Operating Base, northeast of the capital, Mogadishu, have been safely evacuated due to heavy flooding in the area.”
The mission further disclosed that one of the helicopters involved in the evacuation experienced a technical malfunction but was able to land safely without incident.
“All troops and crew have been successfully evacuated to the nearest military base, and no casualties have been reported,” the statement added.
Kareem Adebayo, the Acting Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia said the Burundian soldiers were swiftly evaluated.
“We commend the swift action of the AUSSOM Burundian troops during the delicate operation and reaffirm our continued support to the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in mitigating the effects of the flooding.”
Following the troop withdrawal, Al-Shabaab militants reportedly took control of both the AU and Somali military installations in Xawaadley.
The takeover has caused panic in nearby Jowhar town — the administrative capital of Hirshabelle State — with sources telling Kaab TV that Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein has recently vacated the presidential palace in Jowhar due to security concerns and is currently in Mogadishu.
With Jowhar located just 90 kilometers from the capital, the fall of Xawaadley raises alarm over the potential disruption of civilian and commercial movement along the vital Mogadishu–Jowhar route.
Residents report that Al-Shabaab fighters have already begun setting up roadblocks and patrolling surrounding rural areas.