Armed militiamen seize seven trucks, 130 people in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle

Armed militiamen seized seven transport trucks carrying goods and more than 130 civilians in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region on Sunday, in what local officials described as a clan-related incident.

The vehicles were en route from the capital, Mogadishu, to the central city of Galkayo when they were intercepted by gunmen dressed in military-style uniforms near the Wargaadhi area, according to Mohamed Daahir Cirbeere, head of the Mogadishu–Galkayo transport committee.

“All the vehicles that departed Mogadishu today were stopped in a clearly clan-driven operation,” Cirbeere told local media. “The attackers took the passengers to an area near Nuur Dugle.”

He said the abduction appeared to be in retaliation for an earlier incident in Matabaan district, located in neighbouring Hiiraan region, though details of that dispute remain unclear.

Federal and HirShabelle state authorities have not commented on the incident.

The abductions come amid rising tensions in central Somalia. On Saturday, two civilians identified as Fanax Macalin Xabeeb and Muxudiin Caraale, were shot dead in Burdheere, an area under Cadalle district. One worked for a telecommunications company, and the other was employed at a water well.

Clan violence has long destabilised parts of central Somalia. Several peace efforts have failed to end recurring clashes across the HirShabelle state.