JOWHAR – Reports from Jowhar, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle, indicate that Somalia’s US-trained Gorgor Commandos entered the city early Monday and took control of the regional presidential palace along with other key government installations.
Local sources said the forces began deploying before dawn, moving through major roads and intersections in a coordinated operation. Heavily armed units were seen securing strategic sites, including government offices and security compounds, with no immediate reports of significant clashes.
The swift takeover appeared largely uncontested, though residents reported heightened tensions in the hours leading up to the deployment. Witnesses said the forces established control over the presidential compound without visible damage or resistance, suggesting either a pre-arranged withdrawal or a rapid collapse of local security forces.
Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Guudlaawe is reported to have left the city shortly before the forces entered key locations. His whereabouts remain unclear, but sources close to the administration say he relocated to a secure area amid the shifting security situation.
There has been no immediate official statement from the Federal Government of Somalia or Hirshabelle authorities explaining the operation. Analysts suggest the move may be linked to escalating political tensions within the regional administration, which have intensified in recent months.
The development could signal a significant turning point in the internal dynamics of Hirshabelle, raising questions about federal-regional relations and the role of elite military units in domestic political disputes.
