Al-Shabab Seizes Strategic Somali Town, Forcing Mass Exodus Amid Rising Insurgency

By iNewsAfrica Staff | July 15, 2025

Hiiran Region, Somalia – Thousands of Somali civilians have been forced to flee after Al-Shabab militants overran the strategic town of Tardo in central Somalia, marking a major escalation in the insurgent group’s 2025 Shabelle offensive.

The extremist group, affiliated with al-Qaeda, captured Tardo on Sunday after intense clashes that pushed out local clan militias allied with the Somali government. Tardo, located at a key crossroads in the Hiiran region, holds vital transport and supply routes, making its loss a significant blow to government forces.

According to humanitarian officials, over 12,500 families have been displaced from Tardo and the neighboring town of Muqokori, which fell just days earlier. Aid agencies warn of a deepening humanitarian crisis as families scatter across the countryside with little access to food, water, or shelter.

“This is one of the largest single displacements we’ve seen in months,” said a UN relief coordinator. “The security vacuum has exposed civilians to severe risk.”

The Somali government has since deployed reinforcements, including 100 soldiers, to support local counterattacks. However, analysts say coordination between federal troops and clan fighters remains a persistent challenge.

Al-Shabab’s recent advances are part of a renewed push in central Somalia, where the group has gained ground despite national and international efforts to curtail its influence. The group aims to topple Somalia’s internationally recognized government and enforce a strict version of Islamic law.

The fall of Tardo underscores Somalia’s fragile security architecture and the enduring threat posed by Al-Shabab. As the insurgents inch closer to key urban centers, including the capital Mogadishu, pressure is mounting on the government and its African Union allies to reverse the tide.

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