The militant group swiftly moved in to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of Somali national forces and local militias between March 9 and 14.

Key towns such as Bacaadweyne, Caad, Camaara, and Xiinlabi in the Mudug region have fallen under Al-Shabaab control.

Officials have reported that Al-Shabaab has begun coercing locals to comply with their orders, prompting some civilians to flee the vacated towns.

An online video has surfaced showing heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters entering the town of Bacaadweyne in Mudug, where they proceeded to remove the flag of Somalia painted on the walls of the local market.

Residents, mainly elders, were observed in the clip sitting in the center of the town.

Some residents told Kaab TV that they fled to Galkayo out of fear that Al-Shabaab would retaliate against those perceived as collaborators with the army.

"I fled during the night on foot. There are no vehicles. Al-Shabaab has taken control of all places, including the police station, the market, and the mosques,” said one man who fled Bacaadweyne town.

In Caad and Xiinlabi, it has been revealed that Al-Shabaab also seized control of water tanks and trucks left behind by the army, bolstering the militant group’s resilience and facilitating their control over rural villages.”

The Somali government’s war on Al-Shabaab appears to have faced significant challenges, as evidenced by the recent withdrawal from central regions and the subsequent re-taking of vacated towns by the militant group.

Former army commander Hassan Jaamici attributes the withdrawal to various factors, including low troop morale, mismanagement, logistical issues, corruption, and a culture of dishonesty.

He specifically accuses Somali army commander Ibrahim Muhidin of responsibility for these failures.

Military officials in Mogadishu further highlight unpaid salaries, the need for troop rotations, bribery, and internal political discord as additional reasons behind the withdrawals. This situation underscores the persistent challenges posed by militant groups like Al-Shabaab.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Somali Ministry of Defense and the commander of the Somali National Army (SNA) regarding the withdrawals were unsuccessful.

This lack of response reflects the gravity of the situation and the complexity of addressing the issues at hand.

Local analysts warn that the capture of central Somalia towns by Al-Shabaab significantly expands the territory under the militant group’s control. The capture of towns by Al-Shabaab not only allows them to exert greater influence but also provides opportunities for extortion and financial gain, posing a serious threat to stability and security.