SOMALI CLANS BEAR THE BRUNT OF “LOSSES” IN THE WAR AGAINST AL-SHABAAB
President Hassan Sheikh accompanied by Hirshabelle President Ali Gudlaawe visited liberated Aadan Yabaal district.
Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — The counterterrorism war against Al-shabaab galvanised civilian fighters known as Ma’awisley. According to a report published by Hiraal Institute, local clans have borne the brunt of losses. “According to clan sources, the Hawadle alone have lost about 700 fighters; the Abgal have lost 100 fighters, and other clans in Galmudug have suffered a combined 100-200 casualties. While AS seems to have lost a similar number of fighters to the clans, it has a national make-up and is more likely to be resilient and absorb its losses” the report stated.
The report spotlights lack of government capability to hold territories liberated from Al-shabaab. It is unclear why a single Somali clan already singularly targeted by Al-shabaab for non-compliance has been left to face a well-resourced terrorist outfit. The Hiraal Institute report indicates that the decision to mobilise clans against Al-shabab had not been thought through. A senior politician from Hiiraan told”
Puntland Post reporter that “we require an independent inquiry into why Hawadle losses significantly outnumber those of other clans during the first phase of the campaign against Al-shabaab”.
The strategy to draft clan militias into the counterterrorism campaign against Al-shabaab continues to create resentment amongst clans. Some clan militias are believed to have benefited from preferential treatment from the federal government and received more weapons, and ammunitions that fell into the hands of Al-shabaab. “Al-shabaab has already activated its arms dealers to buy weapons from clan militias” said former member of the dreaded Al-shabaab’s amniyat wing.
