Two separate landmine explosions struck Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region on Sunday, killing one and injuring multiple others, as military operations intensify against the militant group Al-Shabaab.
The first explosion occurred in the town of Hawadley, where a landmine detonated inside the home of Jeylaani Faroole, a senior militia commander spearheading local efforts against Al-Shabaab. The blast killed one of his bodyguards and injured four others. Faroole, who commands anti-Al-Shabaab forces from the nearby Afjar area, survived the attack.
A second explosion, also in Hawadley, targeted a vehicle transporting members of the Macawiisley militia—local fighters allied with government forces. According to local sources, one soldier was killed and two others were wounded.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which come amid ongoing clashes between Macawiisley militia forces and Al-Shabaab militants in the region.
In recent days, local forces have recaptured several strategic towns in Middle Shabelle and are now advancing toward the Aadan Yabaal district, approximately 220 kilometers north of Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab seized control of the area following fierce fighting with government troops.
The Macawiisley militia continues to play a vital role in efforts to reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab in central Somalia. However, these latest attacks highlight the ongoing security risks faced by both government-aligned forces and local communities in the region.
COMMENTS