By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 26 June 2026 – Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Gudlawe said Al-Shabaab has been significantly weakened in Hirshabelle and is now limited to a few districts amid ongoing operations, he said.
Speaking in an interview with Dawan Media’s Mizan Podcast, Gudlawe said heavy fighting had taken place in eastern Hirshabelle, where he said government forces and local community fighters had pushed Al-Shabaab out of large areas.
He said the mobilisation began in Matabaan and Beletweyne, in Hiran region, and was aimed at removing the group from areas where it remains active.
“They are in a limited number of districts. They are present in around three districts, and it does not mean they fully control all of those districts,” Guudlaawe said. “In a short time, I hope they will be removed from all of Hirshabelle and the country as a whole.”
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Gudlawe said the campaign against Al-Shabaab was a joint responsibility of Hirshabelle State and Somalia’s federal government, adding that both sides were committed to continuing and strengthening ongoing operations.
He also confirmed that there was a plan to accelerate the fight against the group, but declined to provide details.
His comments come as large-scale ground fighting between government forces and Al-Shabaab has slowed in recent months, while the federal government has placed greater emphasis on airstrikes and operations targeting the group’s leaders.