12 killed as drone strike accidentally hits Somali militia fighting Al-Shabaab
The Ma'wisley are a network of allied self-defence militias that have been instrumental in the fight against the Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Their name comes from the distinctive colourful sarong commonly worn by members.
At least 12 Ma'wisley clan fighters were killed in Central Somalia's Hiran region on Sunday after a drone strike mistakenly targeted them during clashes with Al-Shabaab militants.
The incident occurred near Moqokori town, where Somali government forces and their allied Ma'wisley militia were conducting joint operations against Al-Shabaab insurgents.
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The Ma'wisley are a network of allied self-defence militias that have been instrumental in the fight against the Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Their name comes from the distinctive colourful sarong commonly worn by members.
They were mobilised primarily in response to grievances such as Al-Shabaab's heavy taxation, forced child recruitment and intimidation of locals.
Primarily based in the Hirshabelle and Galmudug states, these militias have supported the Somali National Armed Forces in regaining large areas of central Somalia since mid-2022.
According to Somalia's Colonel Khalif Idris Osman, the drone strike targeted a group of Ma'wisley fighters who were trying to outflank Al-Shabaab militants near Mubah town.
"Twelve militia members were killed instantly, and others were wounded," Osman said, according to The Somali Guardian.
Khalif did not confirm whether any Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the strike or clarify whether the drone belonged to the United States or Turkey, both of which are known to carry out airstrikes in support of Somalia's counterterrorism efforts.
Al-Shabaab has been exploiting Somalia's weak central government and political instability to establish itself across ungoverned rural areas.
After the formation of the Federal Government of Somalia in 2012, the group began to regroup and reassert its influence, taking advantage of persistent corruption and internal divisions that paralysed state efforts to counter its rise.
These issues were further compounded under the administration of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who centralised power and strained relations with federal member states, weakening coordinated responses to the insurgency.
As the government lost control in many rural areas, Al-Shabaab became more oppressive, forcing people to pay high taxes and recruiting children.
In 2022, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected president and announced a "total war" against the militia group.
The offensive against the group helped push Al-Shabaab out of many areas. Even though some land has been recovered, the militia group is still able to carry out attacks.
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