The situation in Moqokori district in Hiran region is calm this morning, after heavy fighting between government forces and the Somali National Army (SNA) and Al-Shabaab militants in and around the city from yesterday to last night.
Al-Shabaab militants spent their first night in Moqokori district last night, and this morning the coalition forces are conducting their final preparations to retake Moqokori town in Hiran region.
It is very difficult to obtain reliable official information about Moqokori district, as public communications between Moqokori town and its surrounding areas are down, and the coalition forces are not far from Moqokori.
A large number of troops to support the Somali National Army have departed from the towns of Hiran in the past few hours, reinforcing local forces who are engaged in heavy fighting with Al-Shabaab.
However, Moqokori district in Hiran region is a strategically important district that connects Hiran, Middle Shabelle and Galgaduud regions.
Finally, members of the Somali Federal Parliament who are originally from Hiran region have blamed Al-Shabaab’s capture of Moqokori district on the slow progress of the Somali Federal Government.
Stay tuned for more updates on this news.