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Chaos and Controversy: Land Eviction Sparks Deadly Clashes in Mogadishu
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On August 14, 2025, Mogadishu witnessed a grim confrontation that left at least eight people dead, including an elderly woman, in the dense Horseed neighborhood. The violence broke out as Haramcad police units, backed by intelligence and military-police forces, clashed with military personnel opposing an eviction operation.
Clash Over a Piece of History
The dispute erupted over a parcel of land near the Horseed football stadium, a site with rich historical significance now occupied by internally displaced families. While the government remained silent on the evictions, the arrival of heavily armed forces at dawn signaled the beginning of a brutal operation.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reportedly set sights on repurposing the land, intending to seize and later sell it—a move veiled in controversy. The operation, spearheaded by Haramcad forces under Abdihakim Eeldheer, a presidential relative, met fierce resistance from locals and dissenting military units.
Tragedy in the Line of Fire
Amidst the chaos, an elderly woman was tragically killed when government forces struck her home with an RPG. Her lifeless body, poignantly described as being carried away on the bed where she peacefully laid moments before, has become emblematic of the toll on civilians. The rhetoric behind the government’s actions underscores a stark irony: “This government is killing people for the sake of land. Who will they govern afterward?”
A City Under Siege
The conflict grew more severe by mid-afternoon, as Haramcad reinforcements, trained in Uganda, joined the scene. Journalists faced intimidation, barred from offering immediate reports, while eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation: civilian casualties, bodies strewn in streets, and families torn apart by stray bullets that pierced the sanctity of their homes.
As heavy weaponry filled the skies, including anti-aircraft guns in this densely populated area, more than 2,000 residents found themselves forcibly displaced, their stories echoing across the embattled city. Women from the KPP area shared harrowing accounts with local media, speaking of an exodus from their once-familiar neighborhood.
Outcry and Regret
The clashes drew wide condemnation. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed lambasted the siege, stating: “I strongly condemn the assault…where civilians were killed and poor neighborhoods destroyed. It is unacceptable for the National Army to turn against its people.” Similar denunciations came from Puntland and Jubaland, criticizing the forceful tactics employed against innocent residents.
The Mogadishu police command expressed regret over the casualties, claiming a tenuous grasp on the situation. Meanwhile, tensions remain palpable, with fears of renewed fighting as both sides regroup.
The Broader Picture
The international community’s role in backing Mogadishu’s government has faced scrutiny, with local leaders like Abdi Nuur Siyaad openly questioning whether global support inadvertently fuels the forced displacement of citizens.
Since 2022, thousands of impoverished families have been uprooted, a recurring controversy haunting President Hassan Sheikh. Many of these evictions involve public lands sold to affluent business interests, deepening societal divides and fostering an atmosphere of distrust.
Uncertain Times Ahead
This latest unrest underscores the broader turmoil surrounding Somalia’s political landscape. As the 2026 elections loom on the horizon, the urgency for balanced governance becomes more critical. The nation’s fabric is threadbare, challenged by both internal strife and external expectations.
Can Somalia find a path to peace without sacrificing the rights and dignity of its citizens? The echoes of violence in Mogadishu remind us that sometimes, history’s progress hinges on the land we stand to lose.
Sitting in the heart of Mogadishu, the world watches a city reflecting both its glorious past and tumultuous present, each awaiting a governance capable of steering its future.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
