BELEDWEYNE, Aug 9 – Somali military officials on Saturday denied reports that members of the Macawiisley militia, a local force fighting al-Shabaab, had surrendered to the group in the central Hiiraan region.
Local media and social platforms earlier claimed that some Macawiisley fighters had laid down their arms after being surrounded in areas recently captured by al-Shabaab.
However, a senior Somali National Army (SNA) commander dismissed the reports as false and unfounded. This comes amid clashes in the region between the army and Al-Shabaab.
“The claims are pure fabrication,” said Hassan Farah Guled, a senior officer and former Macawiisley leader, in an interview with Shabelle Media.
“There may be elders or civilians trapped in those areas, but no armed fighters have surrendered to al-Shabaab.”
The Hiiraan region has been a key frontline in Somalia’s war against al-Shabaab, with local militias playing a central role in pushing back the group.
In recent weeks, however, al-Shabaab has recaptured several towns and villages following months of intense clashes.
