The Macawiisley in Hiiraan are abandoning their defenses to undermine Xasan Sheekh

Beledweyne (Caasimada Online) – Reports from the Hiiraan region indicate that the Macawiisley civilian defense forces have withdrawn from some of the battlefronts and are heading towards the city of Beledweyne.

The Macawiisley, who are local forces previously organized to support the National Army in fighting the Al-Shabaab militia, have been affected by the political conflict between the traditional elders and politicians from Hiiraan and the federal government leaders.

Reports suggest that the Macawiisley have vacated some of the defenses they were stationed at in the outskirts of the districts of Buuloburde and Matabaan, while others are planning to evacuate the area of the district of Jalalaqsi.

The Macawiisley forces are said to support the administrative changes being made in the region, aiming to establish a governance led by the Xawaadle clan in Beledweyne, independent of the HirShabelle regional government.

Currently, approximately two thousand Macawiisley members are present in Beledweyne, heavily armed and equipped with military vehicles. These forces peacefully took control of the Lama Galaay camp and the administrative centers of the Hiiraan region and the district located in the city on Friday.

Reports further indicate that community leaders in the region are planning to make these forces the first army of the upcoming administration, to assist in its establishment and defense.

On the other hand, there is fear that local forces belonging to the National Army may also withdraw their defenses in the region, becoming part of the political struggle against the federal government and the Hirshabelle regional government.

If this happens, it poses a danger to the country's security, as Al-Shabaab could easily regain the territory that was lost some time ago.

The Hiiraan region is home to units of the National Army from the local area and the Macawiisley civilian defense forces, who have been collaborating for several years in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

The command of the National Army, facing a shortage of troops, is not prepared to quickly fill any area from which the forces withdraw.

Political instability is undermining the army's ability to fight Al-Shabaab and reclaim lost territory, as the main focus is on defending major cities and supply routes.