Mogadishu sees clashes between opposition and government forces

Clashes between opposition and government forces broke out on Wednesday in Mogadishu. The confrontation began after opposition leaders—including former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and prominent opposition figure Abdirahman Abdishakur—visited the Siinaay neighborhood, where government forces were accused of assaulting and arresting residents. Footage circulating on social media showed police officers physically assaulting civilians. Police later announced that the officers involved had been arrested.

Opposition leaders said they went to the police station to demand the release of those allegedly detained while injured. According to their account, police forces opened fire when they arrived at the station.

In a statement, the government said: “The Somali government condemns actions against the security of the capital carried out by certain politicians who attempted to forcibly take over the Warta Nabadda District Police Station in Mogadishu.” The statement added: “The Somali government affirms that responsibility for today’s events at the Warta Nabadda station lies with those who blatantly violated the sovereignty, security, order, and rule of law of the country.” The Prime minister of Somalia Hamse Abdi Barre who spoke today said that the opposition has attempted to “overthrow the government and the rule of law”

The number of casualties remains unclear, and it has not been established who was responsible for escalating the incident into armed confrontation. Opposition leaders have confirmed the death of one staff member working for former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire.

Following the clashes, opposition leaders addressed the media. Former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed accused the government of “organizing war” and urged security forces not to participate in what he described as government-led mobilization. Khaire, whose staff member was killed, blamed the government and police at the Warta Nabadda station for initiating gunfire against opposition members.

Residents of Mogadishu have for some time raised concerns about what they describe as widespread “land grabbing.” Opposition leaders have repeatedly accused the government of large-scale land appropriation. Last month, three former presidents wrote to the current president, warning him against what they called “exploitation of public property.”

Wednesday’s incident marks the first direct confrontation between members of the opposition coalition and the government. It comes at a time when no agreement has been reached on the framework for the upcoming 2026 elections. The opposition continues to call for a broad-based, consensus-driven approach to the electoral process, but tangible progress on establishing the 2026 election model remains elusive. Previous negotiations between the opposition and the incumbent president have repeatedly collapsed without resolution, and the latest clashes risk escalating into wider unrest between opposition groups and government forces in Mogadishu.