Wrap Up of Key Events in Somalia in 1st week of January 2023

Reports of infighting within Al-Shabaab ranks emerged on January 1, 2023, in the village of Ali-yaalo near Harardhere town in Mudug region. Local media cited disagreements within the terrorist group as they continue to lose vast territories to government forces in parts of south and central Somalia. Commenting on the intra-Shabaab fighting, deputy information minister Yusuf Al-Adala said on Facebook that the “wall of the Khawarij (derogatively used to refer to Al-Shabaab) is finally cracking.” No casualties were reported.

The Somali National Army (SNA) and allied local clan militias captured the town of Masagawaay in Galgaduud region from Al-Shabaab on January 1, 2023. The liberation of Masagawaay is part of the government’s strategy to push out Al-Shabaab militants out of Galgaduud and Mudug regions after recent successes in Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.

Forces of breakaway Somaliland have withdrawn from Las Anod city center after days of deadly clashes with protesters over a series assassinations targeting politicians and other prominent figures. On January 8, 2023, clan militias in Las Anod against Somaliland rule attacked military posts in the outskirts of the city erected by forces of self-declared country further heightening tension. Exact casualty figures since clashes began in the town last week are not known but local media have reported the killing of dozens of civilians.
 
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister have urged recently repatriated troops who have been training in Eritrea to get ready to take part in liberating the country from Al-Shabaab. With the support of vigilantes, the Somali army has captured swathes of territory from Al-Shabaab. The return of Eritrea-trained troops serves a boost to the government which needs more troops not only to liberate new territories, but also to hold those liberated.

At least 35 people were killed and several others wounded in twin car bomb attacks in recently liberated town of Mahas in central Somalia on Wednesday. On Friday, the militants raided Hilowle Gaab village in Hirshabelle state, liberated just over a week ago killing six.  The attacks are seen as a retaliation by the terror group which has lost a string of towns and villages to government troops in recent months.

Somalia’s president and prime minister reiterated calls for the lifting of arms embargo on the country amid government offensive against Al-Shabaab. In November, much to the disappointment of the Somali government, the UNSC voted to maintain the arms embargo despite the government-led offensive against the terrorists. The government sees the lifting of the arms embargo as key in consolidating these gains and liberating other territories still under Al-Shabaab rule.
 
Al-Shabaab militants have proposed to negotiate with the Somali government after suffering military losses, the government said. In an interview with a local media outlet, National Security Advisor Hussein Maalim said Somalia will not negotiate with the terrorists but reiterated government’s readiness to welcome those deserting the group promising them a presidential pardon. Al-Shabaab has refuted claims it proposed negotiations.

Reconciliations between authorities in South West state and the opposition united under the Union for Presidential Candidates (UPC) are expected to kick off this week after Parliament Speaker Adan Mohamed Nur aka Madobe made changes to the technical committee that was to facilitate the conference. The conference comes after tensions in December last year due to President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen)’s term extension caused deadly clashes. Madobe, who hails from South West state, is leading the reconciliation efforts.