Shabelle Valley Militia

The Shabelle Valley Militia is a pro-government organization that was formed in 2011 to  to help support the fight against Al Shabaab. They have been backed by the Ethiopian government and the Shabelle Valley State’s administration in the fight against Al Shabaab. On December 31, 2011, the Shabelle Valley Militia ousted Al Shabaab from Beletweyne with the help of Ethiopian forces. However, despite their assistance in the fight against Al Shabaab, they have also committed summary executions and human rights violations in southern Somalia. They have engaged in attacks to push Al Shabaab from towns in the Lower Shabelle Region. The group’s goal is to assist the Somali government in defeating Al Shabaab.