Gunfire broke out in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Wednesday evening and continued into Thursday morning as government troops and militias supporting opposition leaders exchanged shots in densely populated districts, residents said. The fighting, which witnesses placed beginning around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, affected Howlwadag and Abdiasis neighborhoods and forced families to flee damaged homes.
Residents described scenes of property damage and injuries. "A mortar shell landed on my neighbour’s house, injuring a mother. A big house near us is also ablaze, mortars and other weapons landed on it," one witness, Ahmed Ismail, told Reuters early on Thursday. He added that he saw people carrying the wounded and civilians moving away from the areas, holding children and cursing the warring parties.
Another resident, Mohamud Farah, reported that at least two armoured vehicles had been set on fire by militias allied with opposition leaders. Witness accounts placed thousands of government troops in the districts where the clashes were reported.
The violence came hours before protests were scheduled to take place over President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to remain in office after his term expired last month. In March, parliament approved constitutional changes that could allow Mohamud to extend his time in office by up to a year and postpone an election. Opposition figures have criticised those moves and called for demonstrations.
Former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said in a video posted to his Facebook account overnight that government forces had targeted his home and accused the administration of "illegally altering the constitution." "The government forces encircled and attacked my house. I am never scared of their aggressive attack, I will fight back," he said in the recording.
Former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire posted on X, accusing government troops of deploying heavy weaponry, including anti-tank weapons and drones, in densely populated areas. He added that the government had directed "a sustained and indiscriminate military assault" aimed at killing him and Ahmed. The claims could not be independently verified.
Somalia’s information and defence ministers did not respond to requests for comment.
Residents reported civilian displacement and destruction. "In front of our house I see a man injured and carried by hand. Civilians keep on fleeing the war, I see them walking with kids in hand and cursing the two warring groups," Ahmed Ismail said.
The United States embassy in Mogadishu described the outbreak of violence as "reckless" and called on Somali leaders to preserve stability and resolve disputes peacefully. The UK also urged restraint and dialogue, saying the violence was unacceptable.
Somalia has experienced prolonged instability since the fall of autocratic ruler Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, and the country has also faced an insurgency by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group that has lasted nearly two decades. The recent clashes in Mogadishu add to ongoing concerns about political stability and security in urban centres.
Timeline and immediate effects:
- Clashes began around 5 p.m. on Wednesday and continued into Thursday morning.
- Fighting occurred in Howlwadag and Abdiasis districts of Mogadishu, with large government troop deployments reported.
- Property damage, burning of armoured vehicles, and civilian flight were reported by witnesses.