Mogadishu on lockdown, soldiers deployed across the city

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Mogadishu is this morning under lockdown with security forces deployed from Medina on the south to Kaaraan district on the north following heavy fighting Thursday night between government troops and militias allied to the opposition in Darjika Dahsoon where the opposition was set to launch its demonstrations today.

There’s virtually no movement in various parts of the city both on foot and motor vehicles as Somali National Army who have been fighting Al-Shabaab in the regions have been recalled toman the city in what is becoming one of the harshest response from outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo against the opposition.

State media reported that militias attacked checkpoints manned by government forces last night leading to the fighting. But Goobjoog News has established that Danab Special Forces moved into Darjika Dahsoon and attempted to disperse the opposition militia who were securing the area ahead of the demonstrations sparking a fight.

There were casualties on both sides but the toll could not be immediately established. The Council of Presidential Candidates led by former presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his predecessor Sheikh Sharif Ahmed held a press conference late castigating what they termed as an attack by government forces.

They insisted that today’s demonstrations will go ahead despite last night’s incident.

The Federal Government announced a ban on demonstrations Wednesday amid mounting pressure from the opposition on the ongoing electoral stalemate. But the opposition vowed to move on with some of the leaders already stationed at a hotel near the venue of the demos.