BELEDWEYNE — Local security forces killed a suspected Al-Shabaab member and captured another alive during an operation in the central Somali city of Beledweyne on Saturday night, residents and local officials said, as competing claims emerged over who carried out the raid.
Witnesses said the operation took place in Beledweyne, the capital of Somalia’s Hiiraan region and a key frontline city in the government’s fight against the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
Residents told Horn Africa News that community fighters known as Ma’awisley, particularly those affiliated with the Hawadle clan, took part in the operation. The Ma’awisley forces have played a major role in supporting anti-Al-Shabaab campaigns in Hiiraan and surrounding areas, often working alongside Somali government troops to confront militants and secure local communities.
Following the operation, Somali state media and officials from the Hiiraan regional administration described it as a success in the broader campaign against Al-Shabaab. Government-linked reports praised security forces for their efforts in identifying and targeting suspected members of the militant group.
However, some local residents said Hawadle Ma’awisley fighters were central to the operation and should receive greater recognition for their role. The differing accounts highlight a recurring issue in Somalia’s security campaigns, where federal forces, regional authorities, and community-based fighters often share responsibility for operations but sometimes disagree over public recognition for battlefield achievements.
Beledweyne has remained a strategic hub in Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab. The city has frequently served as a base for military operations involving the Somali National Army, regional security forces, and local community fighters seeking to weaken the militant group’s influence in the Hiiraan region.
Security observers say local communities have provided valuable intelligence and support in identifying suspected militants and disrupting Al-Shabaab networks. Cooperation between state forces and community fighters has been considered an important element in recent efforts to regain control of areas previously affected by the insurgency.
There was no immediate statement from Al-Shabaab regarding the reported operation.
Somalia has stepped up military operations against Al-Shabaab in recent years, relying on coordination between federal forces, regional administrations, local community fighters, and international partners as the government seeks to strengthen security and expand state authority across the country.
