BELEDWEYNE — Former Hirshabelle Parliament Speaker Osman Barre Mohamed and prominent Makane clan leaders have thrown their support behind Hawadle traditional leader Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan, warning Somalia’s federal government against launching a military operation in the Hiiraan region amid escalating political and security tensions.
In a strongly worded statement, Osman Barre accused the federal government of preparing to deploy national security forces against communities in Hiiraan that have raised concerns over the political leadership of Hirshabelle State.
“We call on the government to immediately halt any planned military offensive against the Hiiraan region. Such an operation would only serve the interests of terrorist groups,” Osman Barre said.
Addressing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the former speaker said Hiiraan had played a significant role in securing his election victory and questioned the decision to potentially deploy federal forces against communities expressing political grievances.
“Mr. President, Hiiraan is the very region that helped secure your election victory. It is unacceptable to send national forces against people who have legitimate grievances against both the federal government and the regional administration. The people of Hiiraan will defend themselves,” he said.
Osman Barre further warned that military intervention could trigger serious political and security consequences, potentially destabilizing the federal government.
“If the government launches an attack on Hiiraan, it could lead to the collapse of the government itself. We also want to inform the international community that the federal government will bear responsibility for whatever happens in the region,” he added.
His remarks came after Hawadle traditional leader Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan accused unidentified groups of threatening communities in Hiiraan and called on security personnel originating from the region to stand with him.
Speaking at his residence in Beledweyne on Saturday, Ugaas Yusuf urged members of the security forces from Hiiraan not to participate in military operations against local communities. He also called on residents to remain prepared to defend the region.
Meanwhile, prominent Makane clan representatives held a press conference in Beledweyne, expressing solidarity with the traditional leader and rejecting any military operation targeting Hiiraan.
Former Hirshabelle Deputy Parliament Speaker Siraje Sheikh Isaaq also called on all clans residing in Hiiraan to support Ugaas Yusuf, arguing that his position represented the broader interests of the region rather than those of a single clan.
“The Ugaas spoke on behalf of the people of Hiiraan, not just his own clan. Therefore, all communities in the region have a responsibility to stand with him,” Siraje said in a statement posted on Facebook.
He warned that any military confrontation in Hiiraan would affect all communities, regardless of their clan affiliations.
Addressing President Hassan Sheikh, Siraje said a military offensive would bring no political benefit to the federal government, drawing comparisons with previous confrontations involving Jubbaland, Puntland and South West State.
The latest developments come amid heightened political tensions following the re-election of Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Gudlawe and the election of Abdifatah Hassan Afrah as vice president during a regional electoral process held in Jowhar on October 24.
Several traditional elders and political figures in Hiiraan have rejected the election results, arguing that the process lacked adequate consultation and failed to secure broad agreement on political representation and power-sharing arrangements.
Tensions intensified following the arrival of Vice President-elect Abdifatah Hassan Afrah in Beledweyne on an unannounced visit. Afrah, who was accompanied by officials and armed security personnel, said he intended to meet traditional elders and political leaders who had opposed the regional election outcome.
Although the situation in Beledweyne was reported to be relatively calm on Sunday, security personnel linked to the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and local Macawisley militia fighters remained in a tense standoff near the residence where Afrah was staying.
The confrontation has raised concerns about the possibility of renewed violence in Beledweyne, the regional capital of Hiiraan, where disputes over Hirshabelle’s political leadership have increasingly involved armed groups and security forces.
The federal government has not publicly confirmed reports of a planned military offensive in Hiiraan and has yet to respond to the allegations made by former parliamentary leaders and traditional elders.
The growing standoff underscores the deepening political divisions within Hirshabelle and raises fresh questions about the federal government’s ability to resolve regional disputes through dialogue rather than military confrontation.
