MOGADISHU – Hundreds of residents gathered last night at the Taleex intersection in Hodan district to express their support for the Somali government’s ongoing efforts to combat the Al-Shabaab militant group, commonly referred to as Khawaarij.
The crowd included survivors of previous Al-Shabaab attacks and well-known youth influencers from social media platforms, who collectively voiced a powerful message of solidarity and resilience against terrorism.
Among the participants was a young man who shared a deeply personal story, revealing that he lost his father in the devastating Zoobe bombing. “My father was killed in the Zoobe explosion. I’m ready to defend my country and join the fight against Al-Shabaab,” he said, with conviction.
Popular Somali singer Xaawo Daggan, who attended the rally, declared, “The people have awakened. We will liberate our country from the Khawaarij.” Social media personality Bilaal Bulshaawi added, “The youth on TikTok are ready for the battle against the Khawaarij.”
The demonstration featured patriotic songs and performances aimed at encouraging national unity and civilian involvement in the fight against terrorism.
This show of public support reflects a growing grassroots movement to stand by security forces and reject extremism in Somalia.
