(12-03-24) BELEDWEYNE (Halqabsi News) – Djibouti troops, part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have vacated their bases in the Hiran region’s capital, Beledweyne, residents confirmed Tuesday. The withdrawal ends over a decade of Djibouti’s military presence, aimed at stabilising the Hiran region and its capital.
The exact reasons for the departure remain unclear, but it occurs amid escalating tensions within Beledweyne. This move has led to an immediate takeover of the vacated sites by forces loyal to the Hirshabelle state and the Somali federal government.
The region has been experiencing heightened unrest, with opposition movements reportedly strengthening in Beledweyne and surrounding areas. The withdrawal has added to the existing political and administrative strife between Hiran politicians and the Hirshabelle leadership, further complicating the regional dynamics.
Officials from Hiran or Hirshabelle have yet to comment on the situation, leaving a void of official information regarding the sudden military changes and their potential implications for the area’s security and political landscape. The local community and observers await responses from regional and federal authorities as the situation unfolds.
Halqabsi News
