Macawisley fighters seize Beledweyne compound amid tensions

Beledweyne (HOL) — Armed Macawisley community fighters, accompanied by politicians and businesspeople, took control of parts of the Lama-Galay compound in Beledweyne on Friday, amid growing opposition to the Hirshabelle administration.

The fighters, who arrived in armed vehicles, occupied sections of the compound housing the Hiiraan regional administration.

The Lama-Galay compound is divided into two main sections. One houses the regional administration offices, where Mohamed Hussein Mohamed remains based despite his recent dismissal by the Hirshabelle administration, a decision he has refused to accept.

The other section, at the rear of the compound, serves as a Somali National Army base. Muse Salad Weheliye, whom Hirshabelle appointed as the new Hiiraan regional governor, is currently stationed there.

The Macawisley fighters also took control of the entrance to the Liqliqato Bridge in Beledweyne and established positions inside the Lama-Galay compound, particularly around the regional administration offices.

Somali National Army troops stationed at the compound's entrance withdrew to allow the fighters to enter without firing a shot.

The Macawisley forces also established positions outside Ugas Khalif Airport and in several other parts of Beledweyne.

The developments followed an announcement Thursday night that Hirshabelle Vice President Abdifatah Hassan Afrah would arrive in Beledweyne on Friday with a delegation.

Mumin Mohamed Halane, a former district commissioner of Mahas, said the fighters were not seeking a confrontation with the Somali National Army but had taken control of the Hiiraan regional administration offices.

"We are not attacking the military. We have a common enemy," Halane said. "I call on Somali National Army and intelligence officers not to provoke us. We will not provoke them, but if they do, we will defend ourselves."

The situation in Beledweyne remains calm, although questions are mounting over how the uprising against the Hirshabelle administration will unfold.