Macawiisley

Macawiisley is a Somali term derived from "macawis," the loose trousers commonly worn by men. In customary usage, it refers to "people wearing macawis," a designation applied to distinguish armed civilians and uniformed state soldiers. The term thus denotes fighters not belonging to formal military units but drawn from local communities or settlements.

Use of the term expanded significantly in 2022, when rural populations and clan members from Hiiraan, Galgaduud, and parts of central Somalia took up arms against Al-Shabaab. Before 2022, the term existed and was applied broadly to clan-based militias.

Causes of mobilization

Multiple reports have linked the rise of Macawiisley to grievances over forced taxation imposed by Al-Shabaab on pastoral and agricultural producers, control of water and grazing resources, and interference in customary law. When one clan began armed conflict, kinship ties and existing agreements often drew other regions into the fighting.

Relations with the state

The Somali federal government and regional administrations have backed certain of these groups, providing weapons, ammunition, and military support including ground operations and airstrikes. Coordination also occurred with formal security forces. Debate exists over how such militias should be integrated into official security institutions, and concern has been raised about large quantities of weapons remaining in the hands of informal, unaccountable militias.

Operational methods

Macawiisley forces rely on local knowledge—roads, wells, and populations. Combat typically takes the form of rapid raids to capture settlements, followed by handover to state forces. Command structure is based on clan leadership and elders, which has produced variation among different groups.