Hiiraan Online

Mogadishu (HOL) - A well-known Hawadle traditional elder, Aqil Mumin Abdi Fidow, also known as Mumin Garig, was shot and killed by gunmen on Tuesday in front of his home in the Tarabuunka neighbourhood of Mogadishu's Hodan district. Although no arrests have been made and there are no immediate claims of responsibility, Al-Shabaab is suspected to be the main perpetrator as they have targeted elders, prominent individuals, and ordinary citizens from the Hiraan region, particularly the Hawadale community, with systemic reprisal attacks.

The Hawadle community is a sub-clan of the larger Hawiye clan. The Hawadle sub-clan's historically uneasy relationship with Al-Shabaab became outright hostile with the killing of clan elder Ali Moalim in May 2022, reportedly for participating in government elections, which generated even more resentment among the community.

In response to the immediate threat posed by Al-Shabaab, local communities in the Hiraan region known as Macawisley (Ma'awisley) have established civilian self-defence militias, whose collective purpose is to protect their local population from Al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab responded to the Hawadle's mobilization against them with kidnappings, assassinations, torching villages, and destroying wells. As a result, more clan members have joined the Macawisley militias.

In mid-September, gunmen shot and killed Hussein Hayow, a Hawadle clan mediator from the Hiiraan region in the Yaqshid district of Mogadishu. A week later, shooters in Mogadishu's Dharkeenley district killed Abdullahi Nur Garad Seefle, a Hawadle clan elder.

In late September, Elmi Hagar Gure, a prominent Hawadle elder, was killed by Al-Shabaab in an attack near El Qohle village, 40km east of Muqakoori district, Hiiraan. Gure was part of a locally-organized militia known as Macawisley, fighting alongside government troops against Al-Shabaab.

The role of traditional elders in Somali society is significant as they often serve as mediators and arbitrators in disputes and are respected as leaders and advisors in their communities.