Executive Summary

Following a series of clan uprisings against al-Shabaab in the central regions of the
country, in August 2022 the federal government of Somalia, working alongside clan
militias known collectively as the Macawiisley, launched an offensive against the
group. Much of this fighting has been concentrated in the central regions of the
country, particularly in the Federal Member States (FMS) of Hirshabelle and
Galmudug. Partnered with clan militia and supported by foreign actors, the
offensive has yielded some notable gains, including the recapture of key territories
from al-Shabaab in the areas of Hirshabelle and Galmudug. However, in recent
months, government and militia forces have faced significant setbacks, with al-
Shabaab proving capable of conducting attacks and projecting power into the areas
it has lost. More concerning is the absence of a clear strategy to hold and govern
the recently recovered territories. This has been a recurring issue and has resulted
in a situation where territories recently regained by government forces are then
quickly recaptured by al-Shabaab