Heavy Fighting Reported Between Government Forces and Kheyre-Linked Troops in Mogadishu

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Heavy gunfire was heard in parts of Mogadishu on Wednesday after Somali government forces reportedly clashed with troops said to be accompanying former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre, according to residents and eyewitnesses.

Witnesses told local media that the confrontation began after armed personnel from the two sides encountered one another in the capital, leading to a dispute that quickly escalated into an exchange of fire.

Residents in nearby neighbourhoods said they heard prolonged bursts of gunfire, with some reporting the use of both light and heavy weapons. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show armed forces deployed in parts of the city, although the footage has not been independently verified.

It remains unclear what triggered the confrontation or whether there were any casualties.

Neither the federal government nor Mr Kheyre’s officials immediately commented on the reports.

The incident comes amid growing political tensions in Somalia, where opposition leaders and government officials have been locked in disagreements over constitutional reforms, electoral arrangements and the country’s political future.

Earlier on Wednesday, authorities in Mogadishu approved opposition demonstrations planned for Thursday, but imposed strict conditions, including limiting gatherings to designated venues and banning participants from carrying weapons.

The reported clash is likely to deepen concerns about security in the capital, which has experienced periods of political unrest in the past, particularly during disputes over elections and governance.

Mr Kheyre, who served as Somalia’s prime minister from 2017 to 2020, is among several opposition figures who have recently voiced criticism of the government’s political agenda. The federal government has maintained that its reforms are aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and advancing state-building efforts.

The developments come as Somalia continues military operations against the militant group Al-Shabaab, while also navigating a delicate political transition. International partners have repeatedly urged Somali leaders to settle political disputes through dialogue and avoid actions that could threaten stability.

As of Wednesday evening, authorities had not released an official account of the incident, and the full circumstances surrounding the reported clash remained unclear.