Somali police, Khaire trade blame after Mogadishu gunfight before protest

Wednesday June 3, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Tensions in Somalia’s capital sharpened on Wednesday after a short but violent exchange of fire near Dabka junction, with police and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire each accusing the other side as opposition demonstrations loomed just hours away.

In a video posted to the Somali Police Force’s Facebook page, spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan said masked armed men targeted a police checkpoint where security personnel were deployed. He said the assailants were carrying heavy weapons, including assault rifles.

“The area that was attacked was an important place for ensuring public security and was close to neighborhoods and homes inhabited by civilians,” Abdifatah said. He added that the attackers did not distinguish between security forces and civilians in the area.

The police spokesman did not identify any group as responsible and did not directly connect the attack to opposition leaders.

He said police would pursue legal action against anyone or any group found to be involved in threats to security and stability. He also called on the public to stay alert and cooperate with security agencies.

The police account followed a clash at Dabka junction between government forces and security guards assigned to Khaire, who said state troops attacked a consultative meeting he was attending with traditional elders, lawmakers, opposition figures, youth leaders and civil society activists.

“Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose presidential mandate constitutionally expired on May 15, 2026, bears full responsibility for today’s violent attack on our consultative meeting,” Khaire said in a statement posted on social media.

He said more than 70 traditional elders attended the gathering, including Ugaas Abdirizak, Ugaas Abdullahi and Ugaas Hashi, along with members of Parliament and opposition representatives.

Khaire accused the government of trying to intimidate opposition leaders ahead of demonstrations planned for Thursday.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” Khaire said. “This attack is a grave assault on the constitutional rights of Somali citizens and a deliberate attempt to suppress peaceful assembly.”

He said the incident unfolded as opposition leaders and traditional elders were preparing for what he described as a “Peace Assembly” set for Thursday, following months of reconciliation talks with political and community stakeholders.

In a second post, Khaire said security forces also targeted former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, describing the alleged attack as part of a broader effort to stir unrest and silence opposition activity.

The confrontation came hours after the Banadir Regional Administration and Mogadishu Municipality said opposition groups could hold demonstrations on Thursday, but only at approved sites and under strict security conditions.

Officials authorized rallies at Banadir Stadium in Abdiaziz district, Mogadishu Stadium in Warta Nabadda district and the Jaamacadaha area in Hodan district.

Authorities said protesters would not be allowed to carry weapons and warned that any activity likely to provoke disorder or disrupt public order would be barred.

Opposition leaders have rejected efforts to limit demonstrations to designated venues, arguing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right that should extend across the capital.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said Tuesday that opposition groups would not accept restrictions that confine rallies to one location. He urged residents to join the demonstrations.

The planned protests come against a backdrop of growing political strain over elections, constitutional changes and Somalia’s wider transition. Opposition leaders accuse Mohamud’s government of advancing reforms without consensus, while federal officials say they are steering the country toward one-person, one-vote elections and must maintain public order in Mogadishu.