Strong Gunfire Between Government and Opposition Forces Shakes Somalia's Capital

Mogadishu was rocked by intense gunfire as clashes broke out between government forces and militias loyal to the opposition. The confrontations occurred in central areas of the Somali capital, exacerbating the country's ongoing political crisis.

Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of orchestrating a "sustained and indiscriminate military attack" with the apparent objective of assassinating him. Khaire stated on social media that for the second time in less than 24 hours, President Mohamud had ordered the armed forces to suppress peaceful gatherings. He described the attacks as coordinated efforts to silence dissent against the president's "unconstitutional" hold on power.

Local media reports showed armed men moving through Mogadishu's streets, with smoke rising over the capital as the sounds of apparent gunfire and artillery echoed. Several districts, including Howlwadaag, Dabka, Mirinaayo, and Abdiaziz, were reportedly affected, with projectiles hitting civilian areas.

The Somali government, in a statement, accused the former prime minister of instigating an attack on Wednesday by allied militias armed with heavy weapons against a police facility. The government claimed these weapons were also used to fire on residential areas. The police announced a "large-scale security operation."

International partners, including the European Union, France, Germany, and Spain, expressed their "concern" and called for an immediate resumption of dialogue and consensus-building for a roadmap to elections. The U.S. Embassy in Somalia also stated that Somali leaders "have a responsibility to preserve stability and resolve their differences by peaceful means."