Monday July 28, 2025 {HMC} Puntland regional state has condemned the Al-Shabaab takeover of Mahaas district in the Hiiraan region on Sunday, following heavy fighting with the Somali National Army and local militia forces.
In a press release from the Puntland presidency, the regional government expressed condolences to the relatives and families of those killed in the attack, particularly the Somali officers and soldiers who lost their lives in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
Puntland also commended the Federal Government and the local Macawisley forces for their courageous defense and commitment to protecting the civilian population.
The statement expressed grave concern over Al-Shabaab’s growing activities, warning that the group is attempting to recapture previously liberated areas as well as new, strategically important locations.
Puntland emphasized the urgent need for genuine cooperation among the Federal Member States to develop a unified strategy to counter the Al-Shabaab threat. It reaffirmed its readiness to play a prominent role in nationwide efforts to eradicate the group.
The regional state also urged the international community to provide tangible support to the Federal Government and its member states to bolster the fight against extremist groups destabilizing Somalia.
In a statement, Al-Shabaab claimed to have seized the town of Mahaas, located approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the capital, Mogadishu. The town is considered a strategic hub for transport and logistics in central Somalia.
Members of the Somali National Army confirmed the fall of Mahaas but described it as a “tactical retreat.”
The Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group has captured dozens of towns and villages since launching a new offensive earlier this year, reversing nearly all the territorial gains achieved by the government during its 2022 and 2023 military campaigns.
