MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) — Residents of Xawaadley town looted medicine, food, fuel, equipment, and the town’s only ambulance after African Union (AUSSOM) troops abruptly withdrew on Monday, paving the way for Al-Shabaab to seize control without resistance.
Local security officer Abdullahi Ibrahim told reporters that the looters stormed the town’s only Maternal and Child Health (MCH) center, taking medical supplies, a power generator, and an ambulance provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
A video shared by local sources shows the moment young men and women rushed into the MCH facility and emptied it, taking everything inside just shortly before Al-Shabaab fighters entered the town.
A resident later confirmed that Al-Shabaab, now in control of Xawaadley, returned the ambulance to the MCH center—but the town remains firmly under their rule.
#Somalia Update: Local residents in Xawaadley, #Middle Shabelle, looted the only MCH (Maternal and Child Health) center in the area, taking all the medicines and the facility’s power generator.
A video shows the moment people scrambled into the MCH.Local officials also… pic.twitter.com/VP2ZGY77eY
— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) June 4, 2025
Looting was also reported at the Burundian forces’ base in Xawaadley, where both residents and militants took food, fuel, and other supplies after troops vacated the site.
As Burundian forces evacuated, a AUSSOM helicopter crash-landed near Xawaadley during an emergency mission to extract personnel.
The incident came amid reports of an imminent Al-Shabaab assault on the area.
In a statement issued Tuesday, AUSSOM confirmed that the helicopter suffered a technical malfunction, but its crew managed to land safely without casualties.
“During the evacuation on Monday, one of the helicopters experienced a technical malfunction. However, despite this challenge, the pilots skilfully manoeuvred the aircraft to land safely,” read the AU mission’s statement.
Despite that, images from the crash site show Al-Shabaab militants atop the aircraft, which appears intact and undamaged by fire.
Locals said the militants looted equipment from the helicopter, and the status of the pilots remains unclear.
“Even if the pilots landed the helicopter, why did they do it here—in an area controlled by Al-Shabaab? And where are the pilots now?” asked Ibrahim Nur, a district elder who fled Xawaadley after the militant takeover.
Former Hirshabelle president Ali Abdullahi Osoble criticized explanations given for the withdrawal, particularly claims of flooding in the area.
“Xawaadley is not near the river. I don’t understand what kind of flooding is in Xawaadley,” Osoble said, suggesting the withdrawal lacked valid justification.
Security sources confirmed that Burundian troops requested emergency extraction after intelligence warned of a major Al-Shabaab offensive.
Somali forces and allied clan militias also retreated, allowing militants to advance unchallenged.
The Somali federal government has yet to issue an official response regarding the fall of Xawaadley.
However, Defense Minister Ahmed Fiqi acknowledged the ongoing operational challenges faced by Somali forces.
“The Somali government forces lack sufficient ammunition and weapons. Therefore, we request additional support from the international community to continue our fight against Al-Shabaab,” said Minister Fiqi.