The Federal Government has sent 100 military vehicles towards Buurhakaba

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – The federal government of Somalia sent more than 100 military vehicles on Saturday towards the district of Buurhakaba in the Bay region, as operations against Al-Shabaab and Lafta-gareen militias begin.

This movement came after troops loyal to former South West President, Abdicasis Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), took control of the district last week, with the assistance of Al-Shabaab militias.

Government officials had previously threatened to retake Buurhakaba and other towns recently captured by Laftagareen forces, claiming they would defeat those forces.

According to reports, the convoy departed from the district of Wanlaweyn, passing through Ballidoogle and the area of Yaaqbariweyne.

The vehicles included armored trucks carrying troops, cargo vehicles for soldiers and supplies, and vehicles equipped with weapons.

Local residents reported seeing a long convoy in the early hours of Saturday that had been traveling for several hours on the road connecting Mogadishu and Baydhabo.

Government forces have been gathering on the road between Mogadishu and Wanlaweyn in recent days, where they have faced several attacks from Al-Shabaab.

Media affiliated with Al-Shabaab reported on Saturday morning that a military vehicle was damaged, and one soldier was killed in a surprise attack on the road between Mogadishu and Afgooye. This claim has not been independently verified.

The federal government has not commented on these attacks and the movement of troops at the time the report was published.

The Role of Ethiopian Forces

This military mobilization comes at a time of conflict between the federal government and Ethiopia regarding the role of Ethiopian forces in the cities taken over by the Laftagareen forces.

Ethiopian forces have previously been accused of deliberately vacating areas they were stationed in to facilitate the takeover by Lafta-gareen militias and Al-Shabaab.

A report published by Red Sea Axis, citing local sources, states that Ethiopian forces have intentionally withdrawn from towns in the Bay region, enabling armed militias to take control.

The report indicated that the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from bases where Al-Shabaab had previously been expelled is a dangerous situation that undermines the efforts of international partners supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, particularly in state-building and economic stabilization by the European Union since 2007.

Additionally, the report highlighted that the United Arab Emirates is involved in the conflict and is funding the war in South West, further fueling the ongoing violence in the area.

However, information we received indicated that Addis Ababa has insisted that its forces in those towns are not involved in the fighting and are not siding with either side, despite being part of the AUSSOM operation which requires them to defend the government.