Al-Shabab militants have claimed the lives of Yusuf Mohamed Moalim, the Commander of the Darawish in Bardaale, and two of his bodyguards in a targeted improvised explosive device (IED) attack. The tragic incident, which occurred yesterday, has sent shockwaves through the region and underscored the ongoing threat posed by the Al-Shabab insurgency to the lives and stability of the people of Southwest State.
The attack on Commander Moalim, a highly respected and influential figure in the Darawish, the state’s primary security force, has dealt a setback to efforts to combat Al-Shabab’s presence and influence in the region. It has also raised troubling questions about the ability of the Darawish and other regional security forces to protect their own personnel and maintain the hard-won gains made against the militant group in recent years.
The Attack
The IED attack that claimed the life of Commander Yusuf Mohamed Moalim and his bodyguards is a reminder of the dangers faced by security forces and officials in Southwest State as they work to counter the Al-Shabab insurgency and maintain stability in the region. Bardaale, a strategic town located in the Bay region of Southwest State, has long been a focal point of the struggle between the Darawish and Al-Shabab, with both sides vying for control and influence over the local population.
As the Commander of the Darawish in Bardaale, Moalim played a critical role in coordinating the state’s security efforts and working to push back against Al-Shabab’s presence in the area. His death, along with that of his bodyguards, represents a significant loss for the Darawish and a major setback for the broader campaign against the militant group in Southwest State.
Moreover, the targeting of a senior Darawish commander and his security detail raises troubling questions about the vulnerability of Southwest State’s security apparatus and the potential for further attacks on key personnel and infrastructure. The loss of experienced and respected leaders like Moalim will have a devastating impact on morale and cohesion within the ranks of the Darawish, and may embolden Al-Shabab to launch further strikes against the state’s security forces.
Southwest State’s Security
Southwest State has relied heavily on the presence of Ethiopian troops to help maintain security and stability, particularly in the face of the limited capabilities of its own security forces. The Ethiopian military, which has a long history of engagement in Somalia, has been a key partner for Southwest State in its efforts to combat Al-Shabab and extend state authority across its territory. Ethiopian troops have conducted joint operations with the Darawish and other regional security forces, providing critical support in the form of intelligence, logistics, and firepower.
However, the presence of Ethiopian forces in Southwest State has also been a source of controversy and tension, particularly in the context of the broader political and security dynamics in Somalia. The FGS has been critical of the role of Ethiopian forces in the country, in light of the MoU between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
In recent months, these tensions have come to a head, with the FGS demanding the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Southwest State and other parts of the country if Ethiopia does not withdraw from its MoU with Somaliland. This has put Southwest State in a difficult position, caught between its reliance on Ethiopian support in the fight against Al-Shabab and its need to maintain good relations with the FGS and other federal member states.
The attack on Commander Moalim and his bodyguards has underscored the high stakes of this debate, and the urgent need for Southwest State to find a way to balance its security imperatives with its political obligations. The loss of such a senior and respected figure in the Darawish has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the state’s security forces in the face of the Al-Shabab threat, and the critical importance of external support in the ongoing fight against the militant group.
