Al-Shabab fighters have captured the key town of Tardo in central Somalia’s Hiiraan region, triggering the displacement of over 12,500 families and escalating an already volatile insurgency.
The town fell on Sunday (13 July) after government-allied clan militias were overrun, military officials confirmed. Tardo’s location as a crossroads between major urban centers makes its fall a significant gain for the al-Qaeda-linked group, which has waged a deadly insurgency since 2007 in a bid to topple Somalia’s internationally recognized government and impose strict Sharia rule. The offensive comes just days after al-Shabab seized the nearby town of Moqokori, and the group is reportedly advancing deeper into the region. Somali forces have responded by deploying 100 soldiers to support a counterattack alongside local militias known as Macwiisleey.
“The group is advancing to other areas after the fall of Tardo,” said Major Mohamed Abdullahi. A regional lawmaker warned the humanitarian toll is mounting rapidly, with displaced families facing dire conditions and aid access severely disrupted. Although Somali troops recently reclaimed villages near Mogadishu, al-Shabab’s ability to regroup and capture new territory highlights the persistent threat it poses. Aid agencies warn of a deepening crisis as conflict zones expand and essential services collapse.
With no end in sight, civilians remain caught between advancing militants and a fragile government response.