Tuesday December 2, 2025
Somali National Army personnel stand with frontline fighters during a security operation in a rural area of Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Mogadishu (HOL) — A senior Somali military commander says clan militias operating between Leego and Yaqbariweyne in Lower Shabelle have formed ties with al-Shabab, accusing them of plotting attacks on civilians and planning to shift blame to government forces.
Ahmed Abdi Ali, known as Ahmed Gaashaan, who leads the Somali National Army’s 7th Battalion, said Tuesday that intelligence reports show the militias coordinating with the extremist group. He warned the cooperation threatens ongoing security operations in one of the region’s most contested corridors.
He added that the militias have retreated to rural areas, where they have contributed to long-running clan tensions. Gaashaan said security forces will continue operations until individuals previously sentenced by the military court are apprehended.
The commander’s remarks come on the heels of a string of operations in which Somali troops dismantled militia-run checkpoints along the road linking Leego and Yaqbariweyne. The illegal roadblocks had restricted movement for civilians and commercial drivers, who reported extortion and harassment while transporting goods through the area.
Military officials say the operations resulted in the removal of several checkpoints and the release of multiple cargo trucks held by the militias for illegal payments. Drivers told authorities they could not continue their work because of the escalating demands.
Government officials say the crackdown on clan militias is part of a national effort to restore stability in Lower Shabelle, a region that has faced recurring clashes, criminal checkpoints, and al-Shabab influence. Authorities also say capturing individuals convicted by the military court remains a top priority.