The Central Somalia Spring Fighting of 2009 (May 11, 2009 – present) was a series of battles in Hiraan, Shabeellaha Dhexe and Galgudug between rebels of al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam and government forces and ICU militants loyal to the government, during spring 2009 as well as pro-government militia of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah. The fighting led to al-Shabaab capturing major government strongholds and Ethiopian forces re-entering Somalia and setting up bases in Hiraan. There was a halt in fighting during a government offensive in Mogadishu, which started on May 22.