Security tensions escalate in Hiiraan as Ma'awisley militias block Hirshabelle leader's visit

Security tensions flared in the Hiiraan region after local clan militias, known as "Ma'awisley," refused to allow Hirshabelle regional state leader Ali Gudlawe Hussein to visit Mahas district. 

The standoff has highlighted ongoing political and security challenges in the central region.

The conflict began on Friday following reports that Gudlawe intended to visit Mahas district as part of his tour of the Middle Shabelle region. Gudlawe had recently visited various districts, including a stop in the Moqokori district in Hiiraan. 

However, when news of his planned visit to Mahas emerged, local militia forces mobilized to block his entry.

The Ma'awisley militias, operating alongside government forces in many districts in Hiiraan, have been instrumental in the fight against al-Shabab militants. The refusal to permit Gudlawe's visit underscores deep-seated tensions between local forces and the Hirshabelle administration in Mahas district.

Last year, former Hiiraan Governor Ali Jeyte Osman was dismissed by Hirshabelle President Ali Gudlawe Hussein, leading Jeyte to declare Hiiraan an independent Federal Member State (FMS). He also banned Hirshabelle officials from entering Hiiraan.

Under Jeyte's leadership, Hiiraan saw the first public uprising against al-Shabab, driving the militants out of most of the region. Jeyte's dismissal has sparked concerns about the future of these operations.

Osman Jeyte and the Hirshabelle administration clashed over a proposal to centralize tax collection, with Jeyte arguing it would divert resources away from critical anti-al-Shabab efforts.

The standoff in Mahas is the latest manifestation of these broader political and security issues, highlighting the fragile and complex nature of governance in Somalia's regions.

President Ali Gudlawe Hussein has not yet commented on the incident in Mahas. The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the region's precarious balance of power and security.