Al-Shabaab fighters capture village near Mataban in central Somalia

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Al-Shabaab fighters have captured the village of Coomaad, roughly 30km from the strategic town of Mataban in central Somalia’s Hiiraan region, local media reported on Sunday.

Somali National Army troops withdrew after brief clashes, allowing the militants to take control of the settlement. Coomaad sits on a key road linking central Somali towns.

The group has been steadily retaking rural areas and army positions between Mahas and Mataban over recent months. The fall of Coomaad is the latest in that series of gains.

The advance has raised concern for towns in Hiiraan and neighbouring Galgadud that have been largely free of major militant attacks for the past four years.

It comes against a backdrop of political tension in the region. The Hawadle clan, whose Mawisley militias have fought Al-Shabaab for several years, is in dispute with the federal government. Clan leaders say President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud broke a promise to give them the leadership of Hirshabelle state and instead backed the incumbent, Ali Gudlawe, for re-election.

In response, Hawadle figures have held protests in Beledweyne and declared their intention to set up a separate administration independent of both Hirshabelle and Mogadishu.

Al-Shabaab has also recently seized the town of Warxoolo near Guriel, a move that could expose further areas in central Somalia to attack.

Somali forces are already under strain. They have been redeployed to cover positions vacated by Ugandan troops under a bilateral agreement, particularly in Lower Shabelle, and have sent thousands of soldiers to support allied forces in Southwest state against supporters of former regional leader Abdiasis Laftagaren.

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