(16 Mar 2024) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) – Security forces have launched urgent counterterrorism operations in Ceelasha Biyaha, a strategic town on the outskirts of Mogadishu, after Al-Shabaab militants were spotted patrolling residential areas, marking the group’s boldest infiltration near the capital in over a decade.
The incursion, described by security experts as part of Al-Shabaab’s ‘17th Ramadan offensive,’ has triggered widespread alarm over the militants’ ability to disrupt critical supply routes and challenge government authority.
Eyewitnesses in Ceelasha Biyaha reported that Al-Shabaab fighters, clad in military attire, emerged after evening iftar prayers on Saturday, shutting off streetlights and moving unchallenged through neighborhoods. “They said they meant no harm, but their presence terrified everyone,” said a local shopkeeper, Ayuub Nuur.
The militants’ sudden appearance in areas just 15 kilometers from Mogadishu—including Xaawo-Cabdi and Lafoole—triggered a rapid government response, with troops conducting door-to-door sweeps and urging residents to report suspicious activity.
The infiltration coincides with Al-Shabaab assaults on multiple fronts:
In Awdheegle, 90 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, the group attacked Somali military positions overnight, but hesitated to advance due to aerial surveillance by armed drones. “They fear exposure in open areas,” said a security officer stationed in Awdheegle.
In Balcad, 35 kilometers north of the capital, Al-Shabaab briefly seized control before retreating under heavy artillery fire.
Further north in Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somali forces clashed with militants on Friday, killing several fighters. However, Al-Shabaab retains influence in surrounding villages, exploiting gaps in security coverage.
Security analysts warn that Al-Shabaab’s maneuvers are a test of government defenses along the Mogadishu-Afgooye corridor, a vital economic and military artery, and an attempt to undermine public confidence ahead of Ramadan.
“This is psychological warfare. They want to show they can strike at the heart of government territory,” said Mogadishu-based analyst Ahmed Herrow.
The incursions have sparked heated debate on Somali social media, with many criticizing the government’s perceived security lapses. “How can militants waltz into towns near the capital? This is a failure,” tweeted activist Mohamed Hassan.
Somali officials have sought to reassure the public, insisting security forces have the situation under control. “We are aware of Al-Shabaab’s Ramadan propaganda. Our forces are repelling them on all fronts,” declared the Ministry of Defence Spokesperson Sheikh Abukar Mohamed.
However, internal security memos seen by Halqabsi News call for immediate reinforcements to frontline areas and enhanced drone surveillance to preempt further attacks.
The government’s reliance on clan militias and overstretched national troops has left gaps exploited by Al-Shabaab. “We need unified command structures and better intelligence-sharing,” urged former military officer Colonel Abdullahi Jama.
Al-Shabaab’s 17th Ramadan campaign, announced in February, seeks to replicate past offensives during the holy month, when the group typically escalates attacks.
The latest push risks exacerbating displacement in regions like Middle Shabelle, where over 10,000 civilians have fled clashes since January, according to UN estimates.
As security forces scramble to secure Mogadishu’s periphery, residents brace for prolonged volatility. “We’re trapped between militants and airstrikes,” said Ceelasha Biyaha mother-of-five Hawo Yusuf. “Where is the protection we were promised?”
Halqabsi News
