Hiiraan, Somalia – Al-Shabaab fighters made a brief incursion into Coomaad, a rural locality in Somalia’s Hiiraan region, on Monday afternoon, sparking fear among residents and drawing renewed concern over the group’s expanding footprint in the area.
Coomaad, located roughly 20 kilometers from Matabaan District, witnessed the sudden entry of armed militants, though their exact objectives remain unclear. Local accounts suggest that the fighters withdrew shortly after their arrival, but the brief occupation underscored the fragile security environment in the region.
Residents had largely vacated Coomaad before the militants arrived, anticipating possible violence. Community members cited growing anxiety in recent weeks as Al-Shabaab intensified movements in Hiiraan, heightening the risk of clashes with government forces or reprisal attacks on civilians.
Hiiraan has become a focal point in Al-Shabaab’s strategy over the past several months. The group has staged frequent armed maneuvers and assaults, forcing hundreds of families from their homes and straining local humanitarian support systems.
Security officials have not yet commented on Monday’s developments in Coomaad, but analysts warn that the militants’ mobility and ability to move in and out of rural settlements without immediate resistance illustrates the enduring challenge facing Somali forces and their partners.
The incident highlights the ongoing volatility in central Somalia, where government counter-insurgency operations have made gains but face persistent pushback from an Al-Shabaab insurgency intent on exploiting unguarded territories.