Residents of Guriel town in Galmudug have fled their homes, as it emerged that the military is closing in on their area.
The government has deployed Galmudug Regional Forces to the area.
Members of the Ahlu Sunna militia group have invaded the region in central Somalia in the last few weeks.
In the past few days, planes carrying troops and weapons have landed in the region.
Several photos of residents fleeing the region with their possessions in tow later emerged on social media.
The residents say they cannot stay in the region over fears that the government forces are about to launch an all-out attack against Sufi fighters.