Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle — For the first time in years, the streets of Awdheegle are alive again. Children are seen playing where fear once ruled, and shopkeepers are reopening doors to long-abandoned stalls. The liberation of the district by the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) marks a pivotal moment for the people of Lower Shabelle — a region that has endured the harsh grip of Al-Shabaab militants for far too long.
In recent weeks, government forces successfully reclaimed Awdheegle, securing key installations and restoring the national flag atop local administrative buildings. The operation, described by military officials as “swift and decisive,” has not only restored peace but also rekindled hope among displaced residents who are steadily returning home.
“The people of Awdheegle have suffered enough. Today, they can once again sleep without fear. Our focus now is to ensure that peace is permanent and that our citizens regain their livelihoods,” said Colonel Hassan Abdi, one of the commanders leading the SNAF operation.
Already, humanitarian convoys have rolled into the district, carrying food, clean water, and medical supplies to address urgent community needs. Relief agencies, working in coordination with local authorities, have begun setting up temporary shelters for families returning after months — and in some cases, years — of displacement.
For residents like 40-year-old farmer Abdi Nur, the liberation is more than a military success; it’s a chance to rebuild.
“We left everything behind when the fighting began. Now that the government has brought security, I can finally return to my farm. It feels like life is beginning again,” he recalled.
Government officials have also pledged continued support to strengthen security and revive basic services. Plans are underway to reopen schools, rehabilitate health centers, and repair roads linking Awdheegle to nearby districts — critical steps toward restoring normalcy and economic activity in the region.
The recovery of Awdheegle is seen as part of Somalia’s broader campaign to reclaim and stabilize territories once controlled by Al-Shabaab. While challenges remain — including the risk of sporadic insurgent attacks and the need for sustained humanitarian support — the prevailing mood in Awdheegle is one of resilience and optimism.
As evening falls, the call to prayer echoes across the newly secured town. For the people of Awdheegle, it is not just a sound of faith — it is the sound of freedom returning home.