Banadir Regional Police Display Weapons Seized In Mogadishu Operation

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Banadir Regional Police on Monday displayed a cache of weapons they said had been recovered during ongoing operations targeting illegal arms in Mogadishu following recent clashes between government forces and armed groups linked to opposition figures.

The weapons were presented at the Elite Hotel in Mogadishu, where Banadir Regional Police Commander Mahdi Omar Mumin told reporters that security personnel had seized a range of firearms, including heavy weapons and long-range arms allegedly stored at the facility.

The operation is part of a wider security crackdown launched after fighting erupted in the capital’s Abdiaziz and Hawlwadag districts, raising concerns over political tensions and public safety.

“This operation is part of a series of security efforts aimed at recovering illegal weapons,” Mumin said. He alleged that some of the weapons had been used by armed groups involved in recent unrest, while others were intended for future activities that could destabilize the city.

The police commander said security agencies would continue searching for illegal weapons and warned that no individual would be allowed to store unauthorized arms in homes, businesses or other private properties.

Mumin also sought to reassure the public that no damage had occurred at the hotel during the operation and that neither staff nor security personnel at the facility had been harmed.

The latest operation follows days of heightened tensions in Mogadishu after clashes involving government forces and armed personnel linked to opposition leaders, including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre.

While the government has accused opposition-linked groups of threatening security in the capital, opposition figures have previously accused state forces of targeting their residences and supporters. Reuters has not independently verified the competing claims.

The unrest has drawn concern from international partners, including the United Nations and regional organizations, which have urged Somali political leaders to resolve their differences through dialogue and avoid actions that could undermine security and stability.

Despite the tensions, Mogadishu has remained largely calm in recent days as mediation efforts continue between the federal government and opposition leaders.