#ALERT; Al-Shabaab Exploits Somalia’s Political Crisis as Hawadle Elders Sign Agreement with Al-Shabaab in Maxaas to End Years of Hostilities Traditional elders from the Hawadle clan and al-Shabaab have signed an agreement in Maxaas district, Hiiraan region, aimed at ending years of hostilities between the group and the community A statement issued after a consultation meeting between the two sides announced that they had reached an understanding. Nabadoon Cabdishakuur Muuse Cilmi Ugaas read the statement A video of the meeting was posted on Facebook pages associated with al-Shabaab. The footage could not be independently authenticated. Security analysts say al-Shabaab has benefited from divisions and political crises that diverted attention from the fight against the group. They argue that while Somalia’s federal government has faced disputes over elections, constitutional issues and relations with federal member states, al-Shabaab has continued to pressure communities and forces that had opposed it in Hiiraan. Analysts also say Hawadle fighters did not receive sufficient government support to sustain their campaign against al-Shabaab. That assessment echoes reports that disputes over tax revenues and unpaid militia members weakened cooperation between Hawadle forces and government troops, allowing al-Shabaab to retake positions. The fighting intensified in 2022, when Hawadle clan fighters joined government forces in an uprising against al-Shabaab. The joint campaign captured several villages and reopened some supply routes. But it later lost momentum amid political disputes in Hirshabelle The campaign did not end with a single decisive battle. Cooperation between government forces and Hawadle militias faltered, and al-Shabaab regained territory. The agreement comes amid renewed political tensions over Hirshabelle’s leadership and election process. In September, Hawadle elders and politicians called for the electoral process in Hiiraan to be halted until a political agreement was reached, and some leaders said they would reject an election held without prior consensus. Al-Shabaab recaptured Maxaas town on July 27, 2025, after an assault involving suicide bombings and a ground attack.