Mogadishu (WDN)– Al-Shabaab militants launched a large-scale, coordinated assault on Monday, capturing the strategic town of Moqokori in the Hiran region following a series of deadly attacks and bombings targeting Macawisley militia positions. The assault triggered intense battles in Moqokari town.

Local sources confirm that the extremist group entered Moqokori from multiple directions, using both heavy weaponry and explosive devices to overrun defensive positions. “Al-Shabaab militants launched a heavy assault and carried out bomb attacks, entering the town from multiple locations,” a local resident told WardheerNews.

Initial reports indicate casualties and injuries although exact figures have not yet been officially released. Residents described scenes of chaos, with families fleeing to nearby villages in search of safety.

The brazen assault has reignited criticism of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) for what many see as its failure to prioritize the fight against terrorism, while consolidating power around President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. A growing number of political figures have called on the government to redirect its focus toward national security rather than internal political rivalries.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni sharply criticized the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), accusing it of undermining national efforts to combat Al-Shabaab. He pointed to the fall of Moqokori as evidence of misplaced priorities, noting that while the town was under attack by militants, the FGS was deploying troops to Sanaag in what he described as a deliberate attempt to destabilize Puntland. He also referenced previous federal interventions in Jubaland’s Raaskambooni area as part of a broader pattern of political interference. According to Deni, instead of fostering unity in the fight against terrorism, Villa Somalia’s actions are further fragmenting Somalia’s already fragile security landscape.

The Federal Government forces reportedly recaptured Moqokori late Monday, reclaiming control of the town. However, the brief occupation by Al-Shabaab has once again exposed vulnerabilities in Somalia’s security architecture and the fragile coordination between federal and regional security forces.

The incident comes amid rising concerns about a resurgence of Al-Shabaab activity in central Somalia, as the group continues to exploit political divisions and slow progress in the national offensive against its strongholds.

WardheerNews