The town, which had been liberated from the al-Qaida-linked group in September 2022 during a government-backed uprising led by Hawadle clan fighters, fell back into militant hands after a coordinated raid involving four suicide car bombings, followed by a ground assault.

The Somali government has not officially commented on the attack, which marks one of the deadliest in the region this year.

According to multiple sources interviewed by Kaab TV, the attack began in the early hours of Monday after Al-Shabab fighters reportedly disabled local telecommunications networks, cutting off the town from outside communication.

The militants then launched their assault using Turkish-made armored vehicles rigged with explosives.

“Al-Shabab terrorists attacked us early Monday morning. They used four armored trucks as suicide bombs — it was impossible to stop them,” said Adan Gedi, a Ma’awisley fighter who survived the attack.

The armored vehicles used in the bombing are believed to be among the military hardware previously seized by Al-Shabab from Somali forces during past operations, including equipment originally donated by Turkey.

Following the explosions, Ma’awisley fighters and government troops reportedly fled the area, allowing Al-Shabab militants to storm the town.

Witnesses said the insurgents were later seen patrolling the streets, while many residents fled in fear.

Among those killed was Abdi Muumin Xiish, a senior Hawadle commander and the recently appointed head of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Hiiraan.

Reports of Betrayal and Lack of Support

Survivors expressed anger at what they described as a lack of government support and alleged internal sabotage.

Multiple frontline accounts shared with Kaab TV claimed that Ma’awisley fighters were instructed to stand down during critical moments in the fighting — and some even alleged that drone strikes mistakenly targeted their own ranks.

“The drones didn’t come for Al-Shabab — they hit our men,” said Abdi Mohamud, another fighter. “Al-Shabab came from Lower Shabelle, Middle Jubba, Bay, and Bakool. Nobody stopped them. No intelligence, no warning.”

Liban Abdirahman, Deputy Minister for Internal Security in Hirshabelle State, acknowledged the limitations of relying solely on local militias.

“This war can only be led by a government, not by locals. For four years, these brave men have fought alone. Many have died. Too many resources have been lost,” he said.

“The federal government and international partners must step up. Instead, they appear distracted by elections and political maneuvering.”

Security experts warn that Al-Shabab is expanding both its operational reach and propaganda efforts, particularly in Hiiraan, Lower Shabelle, and Middle Shabelle.

Local elders report that some clans are entering bey’ah — an Islamic agreement of submission — with the militants, seeking to avoid further bloodshed.

Al-Shabaab seizes Turkish-donated armored vehicle, amid a deadly battle in central Somaliahttps://t.co/NIGgnFc8MC pic.twitter.com/QxULkfONAr

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) December 26, 2023

Meanwhile, divisions within Somalia’s security forces and deepening clan rivalries have raised further concerns.

The group’s infiltration into government ranks has bred mistrust within the military and intelligence services.

While these security challenges mount, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is facing criticism for focusing federal attention and resources on Sanaag region, where tensions are rising between Puntland forces and SSC-Khatumo, a new local administration.

“The Somali government is losing towns and villages to Al-Shabab at a frenetic pace,” said Rashid Abdi, a Nairobi-based regional analyst.

“Yet Villa Somalia continues to deploy troops and airlift weapons to Sanaag to back proxy factions. Fighting Al-Shabab should be the top priority — but sadly, it never has been.”

The fall of Moqokori raises urgent questions about Somalia’s ongoing counterterrorism strategy and its ability to defend liberated territories as it faces continued attacks from one of Africa’s most lethal insurgencies.

The post Suicide Bombs, Armored Vehicles, and Betrayal: How Moqokori Fell to Al-Shabab Again appeared first on Kaab TV.

According to local sources, the fighting is particularly fierce, with both sides deploying a variety of weaponry. While casualties are believed to have occurred, no official figures have been released as of yet, and the full extent of the damage remains unclear due to disrupted communication lines in the area.

This latest round of violence is believed to have been triggered by a suicide bombing earlier in the day, allegedly carried out by Al-Shabaab. The explosion targeted the Ma’awisley militia aligned with the Hawadle sub-clan, sparking immediate retaliatory clashes that quickly spread through parts of Moqokori district.

Efforts to obtain real-time updates have been hampered by a communication blackout, making it difficult to independently verify the current status of the fighting. However, sources on the ground indicate that heavy gunfire and explosions continued throughout the afternoon.

The renewed violence comes just a day after government forces and local militia successfully recaptured the nearby areas of Gumare and Eel Qooxle from Al-Shabaab control. The militants’ attempted counter-offensive suggests they are unwilling to relinquish strategic positions in the Hiran region without a fight.

So far, there has been no official statement from the Moqokori district administration or local security forces regarding casualties or damage from today’s clashes and suicide attack. Authorities are expected to address the situation and provide an update in the coming hours.

The situation remains fluid, and residents in the region have been urged to remain cautious as the fighting continues.

The post Heavy Clashes Erupt in Moqokori District Following Suicide Attack appeared first on Kaab TV.

The attack involved a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), which was detonated at a site known to host both security personnel and members of the public. Initial reports confirm multiple fatalities and injuries, although the exact number of victims is yet to be officially released.

The atmosphere in Moqokori remains tense in the aftermath of the explosion, with emergency services and local authorities scrambling to assist the wounded and secure the area. Security forces have launched a heightened response, conducting rapid assessments and increasing patrols to prevent further incidents.

Authorities indicate that the bombing inflicted considerable structural damage and targeted a strategically important site – one that houses both Somali National Army units and the allied Mawisleyda (local militia forces). This district has been a key base for launching joint military offensives aimed at dismantling Al-Shabaab’s presence in the region.

In recent months, Moqokori has seen a surge in anti-terror operations as part of a broader campaign across Hiran to degrade Al-Shabaab’s operational capacity. The militant group has suffered heavy losses in the latest offensives, which analysts believe may have triggered the suicide bombing as an act of retaliation and disruption.

Security analysts suggest that Al-Shabaab may be resorting to high-impact attacks like this in an attempt to alleviate the military pressure it currently faces. The group has a history of using suicide bombings in urban areas, particularly in cities like Beledweyne, where past attacks have claimed numerous lives.

Officials from the Somali government have promised a detailed update on the damages and casualties as soon as ongoing emergency operations conclude. The army, along with local forces, continues to assist victims while pursuing those responsible for the attack.

The Hiran region remains a hotspot in Somalia’s broader conflict, with local communities actively supporting government efforts to defeat terrorist elements. However, this latest attack serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by extremist groups, even in areas under strong government control.

The post Suicide Bombing Rocks Moqokori District Amid Ongoing Anti-Terror Operations appeared first on Kaab TV.