MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Intense clashes broke out on Tuesday near the town of Aborey, approximately 25 kilometers from Buloburte district in Somalia’s Hiran region, as government forces, backed by U.S. drone support and allied clan militias, engaged in fierce battles with Al-Shabaab militants.
The clashes erupted after Al-Shabaab fighters retook the strategic village on Sunday, reversing gains made by Somali troops during a three-year-long offensive which was launched in 2022. In response, the Somali military launched a counterattack on Tuesday in an attempt to reclaim the territory.
Al-Shabaab has recently seized multiple towns and villages in eastern Hiran, including Beroyabal, Bo’o, Ji’bow, Tarajante, Garasyani, and Berhano—areas predominantly inhabited by the Hawadle clan, whose militias rebelled against the militants in 2022 in support of the federal government and U.S.-backed operations.
Security analysts warn that if Al-Shabaab consolidates control over Aborey, the group could advance on Moqokori, a key town in Hiran, potentially eroding hard-won territorial gains by Somali forces and allied militias over the past three years.
The militant group has also captured dozens of villages in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions, raising concerns that continued military setbacks could embolden Al-Shabaab to push toward the capital, Mogadishu.
Both sides have claimed victory in the latest clashes. Al-Shabaab asserts it killed 14 soldiers and militiamen while wounding 20 others, though these claims remain unverified.
The resurgence of militant activity underscores the fragile security situation in central Somalia, despite sustained counterterrorism operations by Somali forces and international partners.
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