Intense fighting broke out in Mogadishu between Somali government forces and opposition-aligned militias after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced a one-year extension of his term—a move rejected by the opposition and regional leaders. The clashes turned major roads into battle zones, with mortar fire striking densely populated neighborhoods and commercial areas. Opposition leaders accuse the government of using heavy weapons in civilian districts and targeting political rivals, while authorities say they are conducting security operations against armed militias. The violence echoes a similar standoff in 2021 when disputes over elections sparked armed confrontations in the capital. Residents described the fighting as some of the worst seen in years, prompting many families to abandon their homes. The United Nations, the United States, and the United Kingdom have urged restraint and called for dialogue, warning that continued violence threatens Somalia’s stability and democratic future.
The Guardian
