The emergence of illegal checkpoints across parts of Southern Somalia following the liberation of territories from Al-Shabab has sparked widespread concern over a potential resurgence of the militant group in Somalia.
Government troops and clan militias have set up unauthorized roadblocks in various parts of the country, posing a new threat to civilians and obstructing the movement of goods and services.
Reports of an increasing number of these illegal checkpoints have multiplied in recent months, particularly in areas recently liberated during the ongoing anti-Al-Shabab military operations in the Hirshabelle Federal State.
Often manned along crucial transportation routes, the illegal checkpoints have become hubs of extortion, with travelers being coerced into paying bribes or facing intimidation and harassment. There have also been multiple incidents of civilians losing their lives at the hands of the soldiers and militias manning these checkpoints.
Security analysts are alarmed by the implications of these illegal checkpoints, as they fear they could serve as a platform for Al-Shabab’s resurgence. The extremist group, which has long terrorized Somalia, has suffered significant military and territorial losses in recent months in the ongoing offensive by Somali forces and local militias.
However, experts warn that the rise in illegal checkpoints could provide an opportunity for Al- Shabab to win over locals whose daily lives have been disrupted by this new crisis.
They fear that the group could exploit these checkpoints to regroup, recruit new members, and regain lost territories, potentially reversing the hard-fought gains made against the extremist group.
Simultaneously, the increasing number of illegal roadblocks has caused a rift among the leadership of the Hirshabelle Federal State, the epicenter of this concerning development.
State leader Ali Hussein Guudlaawe and his Deputy Yusuf Dabaged find themselves embroiled in a bitter dispute. Guudlaawe has been accused of involvement in the operation of illegal checkpoints and allegedly receiving revenues from them, raising concerns about corruption and the potential resurgence of extremist groups. The dispute between the two leaders has further exacerbated the crisis.
In contrast, Deputy President Yusuf Dabaged has taken a firm stance against the illegal checkpoints and has warned of severe action against anyone found involved in their operation. This significant difference of opinion within the leadership has created a rift in Hirshabelle, further destabilizing the region.
Mohamed Abdi Ware, his predecessor and the current envoy for stabilization and civilian protection under Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, had earlier accused the regional leader of colluding with al-Shabab, a terrorist group.
These accusations have surfaced amid Guudlaawe attempts to remove Ali Osman Jeyte, the Governor of Hiiiraan region. Jeyte who had gained significant public support and recognition for his efforts in mobilizing local residents against al-Shabab militants, resulting in the group being driven out from most of the region.
The success of the uprising he led served as an inspiration for a broader public movement throughout the country, leading to the liberation of swathes of territories from the clutches of the terrorist group.
The checkpoints have become a source of anxiety for residents who had hoped for a sense of security and peace after years of living under al-Shabab’s oppressive rule.
Residents fear that these checkpoints could be exploited by al-Shabab sympathizers, who may use them to infiltrate the liberated areas or carry out attacks on security forces or civilian targets. This has created an atmosphere of unease, undoing some of the progress made in restoring normalcy and rebuilding trust within the communities.
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