Rape and militia attack unleash fear and anger in Somalia's Hiiraan province

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Rape and militia attack unleash fear and anger in Somalia's Hiiraan province

BELEDWEYNE (HORN OBSERVER) – In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the Hiiraan region of Somalia, the peaceful community of Bilaal village was shattered by a brutal attack on the house of Abdiasis Ahmed Adde's family.

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Bilaal village is a a distance of 12.5km from Jalalaqsi town in Hiiraan region, central Somalia.

BELEDWEYNE (HORN OBSERVER) – In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the Hiiraan region of Somalia, the peaceful community of Bilaal village was shattered by a brutal attack on the house of Abdiasis Ahmed Adde's family.

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, shortly after noon prayer, the Ma’awisley militia launched a terrifying assault on the unsuspecting family, leaving them traumatized and terrified.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that three armed men, brandishing AK47 rifles, stormed into the small house, instilling fear in everyone present. As one man menacingly brandished a knife, the other two stood guard.

The violence escalated when one of the attackers forcibly dragged an 18-year-old pregnant woman, who will be referred to as ‘Asha’ to protect her identity. Despite her struggle, Asha was overpowered by the assailant, who proceeded to inflict wounds on her hand and thigh with his knife, causing her immense pain. In a heartbreaking interview with Kaab TV, Asha shared her harrowing experience, recounting how the assailant raped her before callously leaving her lying on the ground.

"I was pregnant and living with disability therefore I was brought at my mother’s place so that I can get assistance for my delivery,” said Asha, who was in her third trimester when she was raped.

Overwhelmed by the pain and trauma, Asha was unable to stand up until her family members transported her to the nearest local clinic, a distance of 12.5km (approximately 7.7 milies) from the village. She remained there for several days, thankfully giving birth to a healthy baby girl while under the care of a traditional midwife.

Asha vividly remembers the attackers, dressed in government military uniform, speaking the local accent. According to her, the Ma’awisley militia was led by the Jalalaqsi district commissioner, Nuur Dheere. Although Nuur Dheere visited Asha in the clinic, promising to apprehend the militia men responsible for the heinous act, no arrests have been made to date.

Disturbingly, this incident is not an isolated case. Widespread reports of rape, torture, looting, beheadings and violence against civilians have plagued the Hiiraan region, leaving its residents in a state of fear and vulnerability. Additional incidents include the rape of a 12-year-old girl from the minority Makanne community on the outskirts of El Jaalle, near Beledweyne city, and the rape of a 50-year-old mother from the Baadi Cadde community in Buur Weyn, as corroborated by reports from local health workers.

Ma’awisley militia and government forces around Jalalaqsi town in Hiiraan region.

Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, a freelance journalist and the secretary general of the Somali Journalists Syndicate, who investigated these incidents, expressed concern over the need to protect and save girls and mothers, emphasizing the importance of accountability for those responsible. "Anyone who committed these crimes must be held to account,” Mr. Mumin wrote.

However, Somali government officials have remained silent, failing to respond to inquiries regarding these horrifying events in Hiiraan.

Mohamed Qasim who is the deputy commissioner of Jalalaqsi said he met the victim at the clinic, where her harrowing ordeal was painfully evident. "Despite our knowledge of the identity of the rapists, shockingly, no action has been taken. As a government official who has been in this position for only seven months, I have tirelessly attempted to bring the perpetrators to justice, but unfortunately, all of these efforts have proved futile,” expressed Qasim.

The people of the Hiiraan region, having previously endured relentless attacks by the al-Shabaab extremist group, had placed their hopes in the government forces and local militias for protection.

However, recent events have shattered this trust, leaving the local communities feeling abandoned. In response, men in the affected villages are now organizing to arm themselves, forming a new resistance against the rapist militia that operates alongside government forces.

The Somali government has previously touted its combined efforts with the Somali army, clan militias, and international partners, such as the United States and Turkey, to eradicate the presence of al-Shabaab in central Somalia. While some initial successes were achieved, human rights groups and security experts have cautioned against the government’s reliance on unregulated clan militias, warning that it could result in even worse violations against the civilian population than those committed by al-Shabaab.

The recent attack in Bilaal village has not only exposed the vulnerability of the people in Hiiraan region but also highlighted the urgent need for swift action, accountability, and an overhaul of security measures to protect innocent lives and restore faith in the government’s ability to ensure safety and justice.