Local residents break fear as they take arms against Al-Shabab

In the past 30 days, Al-Shabaab has faced a storm in the two regions as it lost control of key areas to Macawislay militia fighters who came with the courage to protect their people and land from the militants.

News Keydmedia Online
11 September 2022

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia – After almost 15 years of Al-Shabaab fear, local residents in central Somalia dared to take arms against the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group following attacks on their villages.

Fighting in Galgadud and Hiran regions last July proved that communities can stand up to defend themselves from the Al-Shabaab’s continued bloodshed, extortion, and destruction of the water wells.

Adado city within Galmudug state hosted a meeting that brought together a leading clan of traditional elders, army chiefs, and women who discussed ways to liberate the group from the entire Galgadud region.

The meeting came after the anti-Al-Shabab revolt grew bigger in major parts of central Somalia with the country’s army providing the locals with arms and logistical support to defeat Al-Shabaab in the battle.

Al-Shabaab faced a major blow in heavy fighting began when members of the terrorist group invaded the small town of Bahdo, about 60Km east of Adado, where they encountered stiff resistance in June.

Galgudud regional Governor Ali Elmi Ganey who spoke to the local media said the residents backed by the Somali government forces killed about 47 fighters from the extremist group in Bahdo locality.

In the past 30 days, Al-Shabaab has faced a storm in the two regions as it lost control of key areas to Macawislay militia fighters who came with the courage to protect their people and land from the militants.

The women’s activists in Baledweyne, the capital of the Hiran region, have begun to donate food, water, milk, drug, and other supplies to the local and government forces battling against Al-Shabaab.

The public uprising gives the government a chance to liberate Somalia from Al-Shabaab after more than a decade of failed AU forces’ operations to stabilize the country and restore peace and stability.

KEYDMEDIA English