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Authorities from Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State have donated military equipment to support ongoing efforts to defeat the al-Shabab militant group in central Somalia. The handover was made to Hiiraan Governor Muse Salad Wehliye during a ceremony held on Wednesday in the Feer district, near the Somali-Ethiopian border.
The event was attended by senior Ethiopian security officials, including Idris Jibril, Deputy Head of the Regional Security Office; General Abdi Ali Siyad, the Chief of Police; and Colonel Hassan, Head of Intelligence for the Eastern Ethiopian Military Forces. Somali federal troops, local elders, and regional officials from Hiiraan were also present.
Governor Muse expressed his deep appreciation for the assistance and emphasized the importance of unity in the fight against terrorism.
“We are grateful to our Ethiopian brothers for this important gesture,” he said. “As the people of Hiiraan continue resisting the Khawarij (al-Shabab), this support will help strengthen our fight.”
This latest aid package from Ethiopia comes at a crucial time. The Hiiraan region has been locked in fierce battles with al-Shabab for the past three years. Local militias, often supported by residents, have led most of the resistance efforts. Despite these efforts, the militant group recently captured Moqokori, a key district in Hiiraan, heightening the urgency for more regional cooperation.
Ethiopian officials pledged to maintain their support to ensure that Hiiraan remains secure and that al-Shabab is pushed back. They also emphasized the need for continued collaboration between Somali and Ethiopian forces to combat the threat of extremism across borders.
“This is not a one-time act of support,” one official said. “We are committed to standing by the people of Hiiraan in their quest for peace and stability.”
The partnership highlights a growing trend of cross-border cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia in their shared fight against terrorism in the Horn of Africa. With al-Shabab posing a threat to both countries, the collaboration is seen as a necessary and practical step toward restoring security in the region.
Local residents in Hiiraan have welcomed the support, saying it gives them renewed hope in their battle against the militants. Many have long felt neglected by both the Somali federal government and international forces, relying mostly on community-organized militias for protection.
The donated military equipment, while not specified in detail, is expected to strengthen the capacity of local and federal forces fighting on the front lines.
“This support shows that our struggle is being noticed,” said one elder from the region. “We are not alone.”
Security analysts note that the timing of this support is significant. With Moqokori now under al-Shabab control, the need for reinforcements and coordinated responses has never been greater. The loss of such a strategic location could allow militants to regroup and expand their influence unless quickly countered.
In recent months, both Ethiopia and Somalia have stepped up efforts to secure their shared border, recognizing the risks of allowing al-Shabab safe passage across territories. The cooperation in Feer district could signal the beginning of more structured military collaboration between the two neighbors.
As fighting continues in central Somalia, residents of Hiiraan hope that such support will translate into real progress on the ground. For many, the presence of Ethiopian military officials and their commitment to helping repel al-Shabab offers a rare glimpse of solidarity in a region plagued by violence and instability.