Mogadishu, Somalia – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has embarked on March 18 2025 on a tour of conflict-affected areas in Hirshabelle, where government forces and local militias are engaged in an ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab.

As part of his visit, President Hassan Sheikh arrived in Aadan Yabaal, a district in Middle Shabelle, where he was received by the Chief of the Armed Forces, the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), the Chief Judge of the First Instance Military Court, and other senior military officials who have been stationed at the battlefront for months.

Purpose of the Visit

According to a statement from the Somali Presidency, the purpose of the President’s visit is to assess the situation of the national army and local Macawiisley forces fighting against Al-Shabaab.

“The President will assess the situation of the national forces and local resistance fighters who have taken up arms to liberate their territories. He will also listen to reports from the commanders on the battlefield, who in recent days have inflicted heavy defeats on the enemy of the Somali people,” the statement read.

The visit comes at a time when Al-Shabaab has intensified attacks in towns and villages across Middle Shabelle in recent weeks.

After visiting Aadan Yabaal, President Hassan Sheikh proceeded to Moqokori district in Hiiraan, one of the key areas that the government reclaimed from Al-Shabaab two years ago.

This is not the first time President Hassan Sheikh has visited Aadan Yabaal. The last time he traveled to the district was on September 6, 2023, one year and six months ago, as part of efforts to support the ongoing counterterrorism campaign in the region.