The Hiran region has once again become a battleground as heavy fighting erupts between the Somali National Army (SNA), supported by local militia forces known as Macawisley, and Al-Shabaab militants. The battle, which broke out in Cadow Gureey, a key area within Buula Burte district, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war against the terrorist group.
Combat has been particularly intense, with both sides deploying various types of weaponry, and reports indicate that fighting is taking place in the deserted rural areas of Hiran. This renewed offensive follows another brutal battle lasting over eight hours in the Jicibow area, near the Shebelle River. Government sources claim Al-Shabaab has suffered heavy losses, though official casualty figures remain unclear.
The militant group, notorious for its entrenched defensive strategies, has dug extensive trenches to slow the SNA and Macawisley forces. However, Somali military officials insist they are making steady gains, pushing deeper into Al-Shabaab strongholds.
Local sources say that much of the region has been abandoned by pastoralist families, with poor communication networks making it difficult to verify casualties or territorial control. Despite this, government forces remain determined to eliminate Al-Shabaab from Hiran, continuing a larger nationwide offensive aimed at liberating key territories from the terror group’s grip.
The battle for Cadow Gureey and Jicibow could prove pivotal in weakening Al-Shabaab’s presence in central Somalia. But as fighting intensifies, the humanitarian toll is expected to rise, with civilians caught between the advancing military and the militant group’s desperate attempts to maintain control.
