Reports from Ceel Baraf and surrounding areas indicate that a group of Al-Shabaab fighters, who suffered a significant defeat in battle yesterday, are now stranded and seeking help.
According to eye witnesses speaking to Akhbar Media, the group consists of an estimated 50 to 70 militants. Desperate and disoriented, they have been asking civilians for mobile phones to contact their families.
“We overheard them telling their families that they don’t know where they are or which direction they came from,” a local resident told Akhbar Media.
The trapped fighters are reportedly attempting to surrender to security forces. Some have already used borrowed phones to communicate with government authorities, confirming their intention to give up their arms.
Senior officials from the Hirshabelle administration, in anonymity condition, also confirmed to Akhbar Media that they are aware of the situation. They stated that the militants willing to surrender will be received but will have to go through the legal procedures set for terrorist group members seeking amnesty.
This development comes amid intensified military operations in the Hirshabelle region. In recent days, Somali government forces, along with local militia fighters known as Maaawisley, have been launching fresh offensives against Al-Shabaab strongholds.
The latest battle occurred early yesterday morning near Beera Yabaal in the Hiiraan region, where joint government and local forces repelled an attack by Al-Shabaab fighters. Somali authorities have claimed victory, stating that their forces successfully eliminated the attackers.
