Mogadishu — Clashes broke out in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Wednesday evening after security forces reportedly targeted locations linked to opposition leaders, escalating political tensions ahead of a planned anti-government demonstration.
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre said security forces attacked a gathering where he was meeting with Murusade clan elders and traditional leaders. Khayre accused the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of being responsible for the incident.
In a statement, Khayre said the meeting was being held to prepare for a peaceful protest scheduled for the following day. He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
“We were meeting with the Murusade clan chief and traditional elders when we came under attack,” Khayre said. “I pray for mercy on those who died and for the recovery of the injured.”
The former prime minister further claimed that the federal government would bear responsibility for any casualties resulting from the incident. He also referred to President Mohamud as an “outgoing president”, highlighting the deepening political rift between the opposition and the government.
There was no immediate response from the federal government regarding the allegations.
Separately, reports emerged later in the evening of another attack targeting security forces near the newly established headquarters of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Mogadishu’s Abdiaziz district.
Details of the fighting remained unclear, and authorities had not released information on casualties or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is among the leading figures of the opposition-aligned Somali Salvation Forum, a political coalition that includes opposition leaders and representatives from some regional administrations.
The incidents come amid growing political tensions in Somalia, where disputes over governance, electoral processes and constitutional reforms have increasingly strained relations between the federal government and opposition groups.
As of Wednesday night, the situation in parts of Mogadishu remained tense, with security forces deployed across several areas of the capital.
Opposition leaders have called for a large demonstration on June 4 to protest against the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Wednesday’s clashes in the capital are likely to heighten tensions ahead of the planned rally and could affect both participation and security arrangements for the protest.
International partners have expressed growing concern over Somalia’s political situation, urging the Federal Government and opposition groups to engage in urgent dialogue to resolve disagreements surrounding the country’s electoral process.
