​Somalia: Fear, tension prevail in Mataban ahead of military offensive

Image

MATABAN, Somalia - A tense fighting was reported to be running high in central Somalia after the moderate Islamist group Ahlu Sunna has deployed its fighters in Mataban district in Hiraan region, Garowe Online reports. 

Sources in the town told GO that residents have began fleeing from their houses in fear of an imminent attack to retake the town by forces from the newly formed Hirshabelle state.

Ahlu Sunna reinforcements from the central Galgadud region poured into the town in large numbers, in preparation for a combat against the advancing Hirshabelle state forces.

Mataban has been under Ahlu Sunna group since 2008.

The regional administrations of Galmudug and Hirshabelle troops in central Somalia are fighting Al Shabaab militant group and Ahlu Sunna who are controlling swathes of land in central Somalia.

GAROWEONLINE

Related Articles

Al-Shabaab claims responsibility as 15 die in army recruitment base in Somalia

According to reports, a suicide bomber detonated explosives, killing at least 15 people, with 20 more were critically injured.

  • Somalia

    18-05-2025

  • 12:45PM

Somalia: Deadly Explosion Hits Military Recruitment Facility In Mogadishu

It is not immediately clear how the suicide attacker managed to breach security and detonate explosives inside the heavily guarded facility.

  • Somalia

    18-05-2025

  • 08:39AM