Zhouhar, Somalia – May 20, 2025 – The fierce fighter looms in the central Shovel region of Somalia as a government force supported by armored vehicles and high-ranking officials pour into the region with new attacks on extremist group Al Shabaab.
Ali Gudrau, president of Harshabel, has arrived on the frontline to oversee and support the ongoing military operations, accompanied by former regional officials, including former governor Ahmed Maia Makaraan and politician Ahmed Far.
The attack, which extends to areas adjacent to the Hiraan region, aims to drive away Al-Shabaab fighters from major areas that have recently been infiltrated. Military convoys and reinforcements continue to flow into the region as the government strengthens its efforts to regain control.
“The situation is escalating rapidly,” local security sources told Radio Shovel, demanding anonymity for the sensitivity of the surgery. “This is one of the biggest military moves we’ve seen with a middle shovel in a few months.”
In a morale-boosting speech, former governor McCallan urged the army to abandon local grievances and unite against a common enemy. “Our unity is the most powerful weapon we have against Al-Shabaab,” he said during a frontline briefing.
The campaign is part of a broader national effort supported by the Somali federal government, undermining the retention of al-Shabaab in central Somalia. The group has been in a permanent rebellion for over a decade, launching attacks on government forces and civilians.
No official casualties have been announced, and the government has yet to announce territorial interests from the current operation. However, local residents report hearing fierce gunshots and watching military aircraft in the sky in several contested villages.
As the operation continues, authorities warn of a prolonged fight ahead of time, but are optimistic about the ultimate success in clearing up Al-Shabaab from the region.
