A press statement issued by the Hirshabelle Council of Ministers revealed that approximately 1.5 million people are facing a severe drought affecting these regions.

“A devastating drought has struck the country. We must turn our attention to providing urgent assistance to our people who are enduring extremely harsh living conditions,” said the President of the Hirshabelle Administration.

Meanwhile, the Council called for intensified security operations currently underway in the vicinity of Xawaadley District in the Middle Shabelle region, urging that these efforts be further strengthened.

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The agreement was announced Monday at the end of a three-day conference in Mogadishu that brought together the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and representatives from regional petroleum authorities. Federal Minister of Petroleum Dahir Shire Mohamed said the talks reinforced national unity, constitutional collaboration, and shared decision-making in the management of natural resources.

“We have once again agreed to reject division and work together to ensure that petroleum and mineral resources are developed collectively,” Dahir told reporters, stressing that all decisions would be guided by the common interests of the Somali people.

Officials said the meeting focused on improving coordination between federal and state institutions, with commitments to implement national laws, regulations, and policies governing the sector while adhering to the constitution. Discussions also highlighted the need to strengthen data protection and security related to resource activities, alongside building technical capacity through training and skills development.

Participants agreed that all petroleum and mineral operations should serve the public interest and be carried out with a strong sense of national responsibility. Government officials described the outcome as a positive step toward rebuilding trust between federal and regional authorities and ensuring that Somalia’s natural resources benefit citizens nationwide.

Puntland and Jubbaland did not attend the conference, as both administrations continue to boycott cooperation with the federal government amid wider political disputes, reflecting ongoing tensions over resource governance.

The conference took place shortly after Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced plans to deploy a drilling vessel to Somalia in February, marking Turkey’s first overseas deepwater energy exploration project. Bayraktar said the Cagri Bey drilling ship would operate in offshore areas within Somalia’s territorial waters, though he did not provide details on potential reserves or investment.

Somalia has long regarded its offshore oil and gas potential as a cornerstone of economic recovery, but progress has been hindered by insecurity, political disagreements between federal and regional authorities, and the lack of a fully agreed resource-sharing framework.

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The helicopter, belonging to the Burundian contingent of AUSSOM, crash-landed during an emergency evacuation operation amid reports of an impending Al-Shabaab attack on the area in the Middle Shabelle area.

In a statement released on Tuesday, June 3, AUSSOM confirmed that the helicopter experienced a technical malfunction but was brought down safely by the pilots.

“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,” the AUSSOM statement said, adding that all troops and crew were safely evacuated to the nearest military base and that no casualties were reported.

However, photos from the scene show armed Al-Shabaab militants—affiliated with Al-Qaeda—standing atop the downed helicopter.

The aircraft, which appears largely intact and shows no signs of fire damage, suggests a controlled crash landing.

Local residents in Xawaadley told reporters that the militants seized equipment from the helicopter, and the fate of its occupants 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 from Xawaadley who fled the village for his safety following the militant takeover.

What Happened in Xawaadley?

A Somali security official confirmed that Burundian forces stationed in Xawaadley had requested an emergency evacuation early Monday after receiving intelligence about an imminent Al-Shabaab attack.

Somali government troops and allied clan militias reportedly withdrew from the area, allowing Al-Shabaab fighters to advance and capture the village as AUSSOM troops evacuated in haste.

One of the helicopters involved in the operation crash-landed during the evacuation.

Following the militant takeover, residents and Al-Shabaab fighters reportedly looted the Burundian base, taking food supplies, fuel, equipment, and items from the crashed helicopter.

The Somali federal government has not officially commented on the incident. However, in a separate statement, Defense Minister Ahmed Fiqi acknowledged the challenges faced by government 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,” Minister Fiqi said.

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The Banadir Regional Administration confirmed that 11 of the fatalities occurred in Mogadishu, where heavy rainfall on May 9–10 led to widespread damage.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that more than 84,000 people have been affected nationwide, though some areas remain dry—particularly in Puntland and Somaliland—where drought conditions continue to impact pasture and water availability.

In Mogadishu’s Kahda and Daynile districts, assessments by the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster found that flash floods affected over 3,810 households (approximately 22,500 people), displacing 430 households (2,580 people).

Six major roads in the capital were submerged, operations at the international airport were briefly suspended, and key humanitarian supplies were at risk after a storage container for an international agency was partially submerged.

In addition to Mogadishu, movement and logistics have been disrupted along key supply corridors in Belet Weyne, Baidoa, Doolow, and the Mogadishu–Kismayo coastal road.

Hirshabelle State: Flood Emergency in Middle Shabelle and Hiraan

On May 12, heavy downpours in Middle Shabelle and Hiraan regions triggered flash floods in Jowhar and Balcad districts.

According to the UNHCR Protection and Solutions Monitoring Network (PSMN), approximately 16,200 people in Jowhar were impacted, including displaced persons whose shelters and sanitation facilities were destroyed.

On May 16, the Shabelle River overflowed in Baarey village, flooding farmland and prompting new displacement in nearby Lebiga and Xaanshooley villages.

The Hirshabelle State authorities said floods displaced at least 1,450 households (8,700 people) in Jowhar IDP camps and another 620 households (3,720 people) in Balcad.

The overflowing Shabelle River also cut off the road connecting Xawaadley to Jowhar and Balcad, forcing hundreds of families to flee to Xawaadley town.

Galmudug State: Lightning Strike and Health Concerns

Moderate rains fell on May 9 in Dhuusamarreeb and Cabudwaaq. A lightning strike in Cabudwaaq’s main market reportedly killed a woman and injured two others.

Another fatality was reported in Qaansole village near Dhuusamarreeb.

Health officials at Gaalkacyo South Referral Hospital have recorded a rise in suspected Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera cases, with 22 patients currently admitted.

Jubaland State: Shelter Damage and Displacement

In Baardheere district, heavy rains on May 5 damaged shelters in 54 IDP sites. In Buurdhuubo, local authorities and humanitarian partners reported that 3,740 households were affected, with shelters of over 2,000 households severely damaged.

Some displaced families have sought refuge with host communities.

Puntland State: Localized Floods, Widespread Drought

While most of Puntland remains dry, flash floods in mid-April affected 27,000 people in Bari and Nugaal regions.

The flooding subsided within days, and most affected residents have returned to normal life.

Light rains have since been received, providing limited relief for nomadic pastoralist communities that make up over 70 percent of the region’s population.

Somaliland: Limited and Uneven Rainfall

Partners report that rains in Somaliland have been minimal and below normal. While Hargeisa received moderate rains in early May, no precipitation has been recorded since May 13.

The ongoing dry conditions, particularly in Awdal region, continue to impact pastoralist livelihoods.

South West State: Rising River Levels and Flood Threat

The Shabelle River has reached critical levels in Afgooye district, posing a high risk of flooding.

Already, 273 households in surrounding villages such as Balguri, Aaytire, Damaley, Raqayle, and Siigaale have been affected. In Baidoa, flash floods since mid-April have impacted internally displaced persons in 78 sites, with at least 760 households (3,193 people) affected.

Banadir Region: Infrastructure Damage and Urgent Humanitarian Needs

The Banadir Regional Administration reported extensive damage from the recent floods in Mogadishu, including the submergence of at least 200 houses and damage to nine roads.

Officials have issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian assistance for displaced and affected communities.

According to the FAO Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) unit, rainfall is expected to decrease in the coming days, with only light showers forecasted for Lower Juba, Hiraan, and Mudug.

Most of Puntland, Somaliland, and parts of central and southern Somalia are expected to remain dry.

Despite the destruction, the rains have improved water and pasture availability in many areas, boosting agricultural activity and providing much-needed relief from prolonged dry conditions.

However, humanitarian partners warn that immediate support is critical for those displaced or affected by the flooding.

–

(With additional information from UNOCHA, FAO and UNHCR)

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Sources close to Villa Somalia told Kaab TV that the request was made in response to increased Al-Shabaab activity in the Hirshabelle, at a time when the new African Union-led peacekeeping mission, AUSSOM (African Union Somalia Support Mission), remains underfunded and stalled.

Somalia Federal Government is wary that AUSSOM has yet to secure the necessary funding.

African nations are reportedly unable to shoulder the mission’s financial burden, and the United States has also declined to fully fund the operation.

Meanwhile, Burundian troops previously stationed near the town of Jowhar, the seat of Hirshabelle State, have reportedly withdrawn, creating a security vacuum.

President Museveni has firmly refused to replace the departing Burundian forces with Ugandan troops, a decision that could further destabilize the region.

In a surprising move, Burundian forces exited Garsaale—a strategic area that secures the airport in Jowhar.

Security officials in Hirshabelle’s Ministry of Security told Kaab TV that they were not informed of the Burundian troop withdrawal in advance.

The Burundi forces also vacated another key outpost near Jowhar that played a vital role in the city’s overall security.

The government of Burundi previously announced its intention to withdraw its forces from Somalia, citing dissatisfaction with how troops were allocated under the 2025 AUSSOM mission—an operation still lacking financial backing.

In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab has intensified its presence in parts of Middle Shabelle, seizing control of areas such as Masaajid Cali Guduud, Al-Kowthar, and Aadan Yabaal.

The group has also disrupted security along the road between Jowhar and Mogadishu, and entered the town of Balcad—just 30 kilometers from Mogadishu—at the end of March.

The unexpected withdrawal of Burundian forces has sparked fears among Jowhar residents, who now worry about the implications of the security vacuum left behind.

Jowhar is the capital of the Hirshabelle regional administration.

So far, Hirshabelle authorities have not announced a plan to fill the gaps left by the Burundian troops, whose presence had been critical to maintaining stability in the area.

The post Museveni Hesitant Somalia Request for Troop Deployment in Hirshabelle appeared first on Kaab TV.

The Burundian forces, part of the African Union Mission (AU mission), were based in Garsaale — a strategically important area for the protection of Jowhar’s airport.

Their unexpected withdrawal has reportedly taken local authorities by surprise.

Officials from Hirshabelle’s Ministry of Security told Kaab TV that they were not informed in advance about the Burundian troops’ departure.

These forces also vacated another post near the city that was vital to maintaining general security in Jowhar.

Burundi had earlier announced plans to pull its troops from Somalia, citing dissatisfaction with how troop quotas for the new AUSSOM (African Union Support Mission in Somalia) 2025 operation were allocated — an initiative that has yet to receive funding.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab militants have recently intensified their activities in parts of Middle Shabelle, seizing areas like Masaajid Cali Guduud, Al-Kowthar, and Aadan Yabaal.

The group has also disrupted transport routes between Jowhar and Mogadishu, entering Balcad district — just 30 km from Mogadishu — in late March.

The troop withdrawal has alarmed residents of Jowhar, who fear for their safety now that key defensive positions around the city are unguarded.

Jowhar serves as the administrative capital of the Hirshabelle State.

So far, Hirshabelle authorities have not announced any plan to secure the vacated positions formerly held by the Burundian forces.

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Security officials from the Somali federal government and the Hirshabelle regional administration confirmed that Al-Shabaab launched a multi-front assault and swiftly took full control of the town.

Hirshabelle’s Minister of Security, Mohamed Kheyre, confirmed that Al-Shabaab is now in control of Aadan Yabaal.

The town had previously served as a key operational base for Somali government forces and allied local militias.

It played a significant role in ongoing military campaigns against Al-Shabaab in the Middle Shabelle region.

The exact casualty toll from the fighting remains unclear, but local residents reported fatalities and injuries during the early morning clash.

#UPDATE: Early Wednesday morning, Al-Shabaab militants launched a coordinated attacks on Adan Yabaal district from multiple directions, Somali security officials have confirmed.

The militant group has now issued a statement claiming to have “captured the strategic town and… pic.twitter.com/1A2k3aMyo9

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) April 16, 2025

Al-Shabaab, which is the Al-Qaeda affiliated group, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they had captured government and local militia bases in the town.

Photos circulated on social media showed Al-Shabaab fighters inside Aadan Yabaal’s police station, with images of seized weapons, military vehicles—including those donated by Somalia’s international partners—and food supplies.

What the fall of Aadan Yabaal means?

Several military officers are reportedly missing, with some believed to have fled the town.

The Somali government has not yet issued a statement regarding the missing officers.

The fall of Aadan Yabaal means the federal government now controls only three towns in the Middle Shabelle region: Jowhar, Mahaday, and Bal’ad. The rest of the region is now under Al-Shabaab control.

Additionally, government forces have reportedly withdrawn from Yasooman and Aboorey in the Hiiraan region, where heavy fighting with Al-Shabaab had occurred over the past week.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud briefly addressed the loss of Aadan Yabaal, calling it “a one-day setback” that does not define the broader fight against Al-Shabaab.

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The Al-Shabaab militants launched an unexpected attack on the Aboorey area in the Hiiraan region, where Macawisley militia members from the Hawadle clan were stationed.

Al-Shabaab stated that they killed several members of the Ma’awisley militia in the battle and seized military vehicles.

Ma’awisley militia officials confirmed their casualties but also reported killing some of the attackers.

In addition, Al-Shabaab carried out assaults on several areas in the Middle Shabelle region, with reports indicating that local civilians are fleeing the affected areas.

Photos circulated on social media show military and cargo vehicles, some of which were set on fire during the attacks.

On Tuesday, Al-Shabaab militants entered the El Ahmed and Al-Kowthar areas in the Middle Shabelle region, where they remain stationed as of now.

Civilians have started fleeing

There is rising fear in Aadan Yabaal, where both government forces and the Ma’awisley militia had been present.

A local source told Kaab TV that civilians in Aadan Yabaal have started fleeing, fearing a possible battle as Al-Shabaab forces have advanced into nearby areas.

Al-Shabaab had previously captured the Ruun Nirgood district in the Middle Shabelle region.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab militants took control of several key areas last week, including El Baraf, Ali Fooldheere, Iid-Iidka, and Miir Tuugo, where government forces have yet to regain control.

The Ministry of Defence in Somalia has not commented on Al-Shabaab’s activities or the areas they have seized.

The Hirshabeelle administration also remains silent, with President Ali Guudlaawe absent from the city of Jowhar.

In Jowhar, government forces have been conducting operations in the Hawadley area, but military officials have not yet commented on these actions.

The Ministry of Information has posted on social media that several Al-Shabaab militants were killed during these recent assaults.

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According to sources within the army, the withdrawal followed the execution of six Hawadle soldiers by a rival clan last Thursday in El Baraf.

Armed clan militia reportedly ambushed the soldiers in their vehicle before killing them at point-blank range.

In response, the Somali government dispatched Intelligence Director Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbalolshe and the SNA Infantry Commander to Jowhar on Friday to address the situation.

Despite these efforts, soldiers stationed at Hawadley positions in Middle Shabelle began vacating their posts along the frontline with Al-Shabaab in protest over the killings.

A jubilant crowd greeted the arriving Hawadle forces in Jalalaqsi on Sunday evening.

Celebrations included loud music, gunfire into the air, and clapping by men and women lining the streets.

Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlaawe condemned the killings.

However, attempts to prevent the soldiers from leaving the frontline have so far proven unsuccessful.

There has yet to be any official comment from the Ministry of Defense or the Somali National Army command regarding the incident.

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According to security officials in Jowhar, the soldiers were traveling from their base when their vehicle was ambushed by the rival clan Ma’awisley militia.

All six soldiers were killed at point-blank range, while a seventh soldier survived but remains unaccounted for.

Jalalaqsi District Commissioner Nuur Dheere confirmed the attack was likely clan-related, as the victims were targeted based on their clan identity.

All six slain soldiers were members of the Ma’awisley militia from the Hiiraan region who joined the Somali army in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Hirshabelle State President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe condemned the killings as a “brutal and un-Islamic act,” stating that it violated Somali cultural values and human rights.

“This heinous act goes against Islamic law, Somali morals, and human rights. I am ordering the security forces to bring the perpetrators to justice within 24 hours,” read a statement from the presidency.

Heightened Tensions

The incident has inflamed pre-existing tensions between the Hirshabelle State government and the Hiiraan clans.

El Baraf has been the center of ongoing clashes between Hawadle and Abgaal militias, and the attack has further destabilized the region.

On Friday, more than 250 Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers from the Hawadle clan vacated their base in Hawadley village, located 18 kilometers from Jowhar, the seat of the Hirshabelle state.

Hawadley serves as a key buffer zone for Jowhar, hosting Somali Army forces engaged in combating Al-Shabaab militants who control much of the surrounding region.

The withdrawal of the SNA soldiers from strategic positions pose significant risks to the security of Jowhar.

The withdrawal of Hawadle soldiers was a direct protest against the El Baraf incident.

Later Friday, Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency Director Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Sanbalolshe) and SNA Infantry Commander Khalid Abdullahi arrived in Jowhar via a helicopter from Mogadishu.

Sanbalolshe, a member of the Hawadle clan, and Khalid Abdullahi, a former Al-Shabaab defector and ex-Jubaland intelligence commander who was later promoted to SNA infantry commander, are reportedly planning to visit Hawadley to defuse tensions and persuade Hawadle forces to return to their positions.

In Jowhar, Hirshabelle State President Guudlawe held an emergency meeting with advisers and elders from his clan on Friday afternoon.

Sources told our reporter the meeting aimed to address the unfolding crisis and explore ways to restore stability.

A source at the regional president’s office suggest that Abgaal clan elders, alongside Hirshabelle State officials, are attempting to offer diya (blood money) to the Hawadle clan for the six soldiers killed in El Baraf to settle down the crisis.

Meanwhile, the crisis is spreading beyond Middle Shabelle.

In Beledweyne, tax officials at the Hirshabelle revenue collection point in Bundo Weyne vacated their posts on Friday, handing the facility over to rival Hiiraan State.

This move was widely interpreted as a protest against the killings in El Baraf, but officials we spoke to are hoping to cool down the situation.

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