Al-Shabaab militants captured the town of Mahaas in central Somalia on Sunday following a coordinated attack involving suicide bombers and armed fighters.
Mahaas, located in the Hiraan region approximately 350 kilometers north of Mogadishu, has been a strategic stronghold for Somali government forces in their campaign against the extremist group.
According to AP News, the assault came shortly after Somali government troops and allied Ma’awisley militias withdrew from the area. Al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility through its affiliated media channels, stating that its fighters had taken full control of the town.
“There were multiple suicide blasts just outside the town early this morning, and heavy gunfire followed,” said Ahmed Abdulle, a local elder, speaking to Somali media.
As of publication, Somali authorities had not issued an official statement or confirmed the number of casualties or injuries resulting from the attack.
The fall of Mahaas marks a significant setback for Somalia’s military offensive, which has seen government forces, supported by African Union troops, U.S. airstrikes, and local clan militias, reclaim substantial territory from Al-Shabaab in recent months.
Just two days prior, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Somali government, conducted airstrikes targeting Al-Shabaab positions west of Sabiid.
Despite these efforts, the attack on Mahaas highlights Al-Shabaab’s enduring ability to regroup and carry out lethal operations, raising concerns about the durability and coherence of recent military gains.
The U.S. State Department continues to designate Al-Shabaab as a major terrorist threat in Somalia and the broader East African region. The group remains notorious for frequent deadly attacks, including IED explosions, suicide bombings, complex assaults, targeted assassinations, and ambushes along key supply routes.
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