EXCLUSIVE : Hundreds Of Families Flee Al Shabaab Strongholds In Somalia

Hundreds of family fleeing Al Shabaab controlled territory arrived at a desolate IDP camp over the weekend outside the city of Baydhabo in the Bay region of Somalia. The destitute families, mainly consisting of pastoralists and farmers arrived yesterday at the Hoobishoole IDP camp on the outskirts of the city.

Nearly 300 families confirmed to have arrived at Hoobishole and in many cases, with nothing more than the clothes on there back. The families that arrived at Hoobishoole revealed they’ve trekked for three days straight prior to arriving at Hoobishole, after fleeing there homes in the periphery of Qansaxdheere.

The Qansaxdheere district situated 93 kilometers away from the city of Baydhabo has been occupied by the Ethiopian military for a number of years. However the outlining towns and villages are under the complete control of Al Shabaab and remains closed off from the outside world.

The vast majority of the new arrivals at the Hoobishoole IDP camp where unwilling to speak about there ordeal and the treacherous journey that followed. However a handful where willing to speak off the record and revealed witnessing horrific abuses while living under Al Shabaab rule.

According to some of the IDP’s at the camp that spoke with Halgan Media on condition of anonymity, they’ve lived under the rule of Al Shabaab for well over a decade but could no longer bare the scorch earth policies of the militant group. That’s when they decided to leave and take the treacherous journey to Baydhabo.

Witnesses at the Hoobishoole IDP camp reveal having there livestock and property seized by Al Shabaab, while many other families where prohibited from accessing there crops, and at times the men being forcefully conscripted within the ranks of Al Shabaab.

Many families at the Hoobishoole IDP confirm they’ve lost contact with some of the men in there family after they where forcefully conscripted to fight among the ranks of Al Shabaab. Many of these men are feared dead.

The three day journey to reach the Hoobishoole IDP camp outside Baydhabo was a perilous journey, with so much uncertainty. Upon arrivig at the camp, the IDP’s did not receive any support from the local authorities or any of the international aid agencies with branches that operate out of Baydhabo, according to Halgan Media correspondents at the scene.

Local correspondents at the Hoobishoole IDP camp sent the Halgan Media service desk a series of photos of the new arrivals at the camp, which are pictured below.

The latest mass exodus in the Bay region of Somalia wouldn’t be the first time that civilians have been forced to flee Al Shabaab controlled territory, nor will it be the last. The insurgents govern vast swaths of territory in Somalia and continue to implement scorch earth policies along the way.

The Halgan Media service desk will continue to document war crimes by all sides in the Somali conflict.