BELEDWEYNE, Somalia (Kaab TV) – A deadly clash erupted on Saturday between Hawadle clan militia, known as Ma’awisley, and the al-Shabaab militant group in the Garas Magan area of the Hiiraan region, resulting in the killing of a senior al-Shabaab commander.
According to Omar Abdukadir, a commander of the Hawadle forces, their fighters killed Nur Abdi Roble, a 47-year-old mid-level al-Shabaab leader who had been commanding militant operations in central Somalia.
“Today we engaged in another intense battle with the terrorist group,” Abdukadir said. “By the grace of God, our fighters killed Nur Abdi Roble, who was leading the al-Shabaab militia in the region.”
He also emphasized that the Somali federal government played no role in the operation. The confrontation follows several days of fighting in the area.
Last week, al-Shabaab launched coordinated suicide car bomb attacks on Ma’awisley positions in Ceel Hareeri and Moqokori, killing dozens of clan fighters in an effort to breach their defenses.
The Somali national army had recently withdrawn from parts of the Hiiraan region, leaving the local militia to confront the militant group alone.
Former Minister Abdullahi Godah Barre criticized the federal government’s lack of support, saying, “The people of Hiiraan are fighting alone without any support from Mogadishu.”
Meanwhile, African Union forces recently withdrew from Xawaadley town, located about 50 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu.
The pullback allowed al-Shabaab to regain control of the area.
Government and allied clan forces loyal to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have also reportedly retreated from much of the Middle Shabelle region, effectively ceding control to the militants.
President Mohamud has come under scrutiny following reports of secret talks with al-Shabaab.
He recently reappointed Mahad Mohamed Salad as head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), a figure alleged to have longstanding ties to the terror group.
In a related development, Abdullahi Mohamed Ali “Sanbalolshe,” a prominent figure from the Hawadle clan and former intelligence chief, was dismissed from his post—fueling speculation over internal divisions within the government.