Mogadishu Rocked by Heavy Gunfire as Political Clashes Escalate Ahead of Protests

Heavy gunfire and clashes erupted overnight in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, as rival political factions confronted each other ahead of planned anti-government protests. The unrest followed opposition rejection of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s disputed one-year extension of his term. Armed forces were deployed across the city, with reports of mortars and heavy weapons used, though casualty figures were not confirmed. International partners urged calm and dialogue as tensions over Somalia’s electoral and constitutional crisis continue to rise.

Residents of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu reported a “sleepless night” after heavy gunfire and explosions rocked the city overnight, following clashes between rival political factions ahead of planned protests.

AFP journalists reported that smoke was seen rising over several parts of the capital as armed forces were deployed across the streets on Thursday. The unrest erupted after opposition groups moved into the city ahead of demonstrations planned against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s controversial political decisions.
The crisis stems from President Mohamud’s announcement in mid-May of a one-year extension of his term, which was originally due to expire on May 15. The decision has been rejected by opposition leaders and regional authorities, triggering heightened political tensions across the country.
Clashes broke out on Wednesday when opposition figures arrived in Mogadishu ahead of the planned protests. According to AFP journalists and local witnesses, sporadic fighting continued throughout the night, with gunfire heard across several districts.
One resident of the Howl Wadaag district, Xalimo Salad, described the situation as terrifying, saying: “We did not sleep throughout the night because of sporadic gunfire,” adding that more intense exchanges of fire erupted again on Thursday morning. She also confirmed the deployment of federal government reinforcements in the area.
Police authorities stated that they were carrying out a “large-scale security operation” targeting what they described as “heavily armed militias who launched mortar attacks on some neighbourhoods of the capital.”
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire also alleged that he was attacked by government forces after moving from the fortified green zone near the airport to his residence in order to join the planned protests. In a social media post, he claimed that presidential forces launched a “sustained and indiscriminate military assault with the apparent objective of killing me.”
By Thursday morning, there were no confirmed casualty figures, although reports indicated that the intensity of the fighting had begun to reduce by around 9:30 a.m. as discussions reportedly began between government and opposition representatives.
A security analyst told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that violence had escalated significantly overnight, noting that mortars and heavy-calibre weapons were used and suggesting that civilian casualties may have occurred in some areas.
International reactions have expressed concern over the situation. The United States embassy in Mogadishu described the violence as “reckless” and called for dialogue, while joint statements from the European Union, United Nations missions, and the British embassy described the clashes as “deeply concerning.”
Reports also indicated that gunfire was heard near the residence of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, close to Mogadishu’s Lido Beach area.
The current political crisis is linked to President Mohamud’s broader efforts to transition Somalia toward a more direct electoral system, replacing the long-standing clan-based model. He argues that constitutional changes passed by parliament in March provide the framework for extending his mandate and advancing electoral reforms.
However, opposition leaders and regional authorities have strongly rejected the plan, accusing the government of attempting to centralise power. The country remains deeply divided, with ongoing security challenges including the presence of Islamist insurgent group Al-Shabaab complicating efforts to organise nationwide elections beyond limited local areas.