Turkish-Trained Commandos Halt Traffic in Somali Capital Amid Salary Dispute

Turkish-Trained Special Forces Block Major Road in Mogadishu: The Price of Unpaid Wages

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MOGADISHU, Somalia — On a typically bustling morning, the heart of Mogadishu stirred with unexpected tension. The Ex-Control Afgooye road, a lifeline for thousands, was sealed off by the very forces meant to protect it. Members of the Somali police’s elite Haramcad unit, known for their rigorous Turkish training, took a stand, but not against a hostile force; their adversary was unpaid salaries.

This dramatic protest, charged with unrestrained frustration, quickly escalated. As soldiers fired into the air, possibly a desperate cry for attention, nearby residents felt the cold grip of fear. “Not knowing where the next bullet might land changes you,” remarked Aisha, a local shopkeeper whose business stood in the protest’s pathway.

Why did these soldiers feel compelled to block an essential road, knowing the chaos it would unleash? This road isn’t merely a route but a dynamic conduit of daily life in the capital. Sunday commuters, once destined for work or home conveniences, found themselves abruptly stranded, boxed in by a symphony of honking vehicles and stalled tuk-tuks.

For these soldiers, the action was a reluctant response to what they perceive as neglect from the federal government. Their grievances, largely ignored, slowly turned into palpable discontent. Their cries, mingled with gunfire, echoed stories of months without pay—an injustice that wasn’t just about money, but human dignity. What would you sacrifice to be heard?

Witnesses shared tales of families scrambling for safety. “We were caged in by traffic, while chaos unfurled around us,” a frantic commuter recounted, his voice lined with relief yet tinged with the day’s anxiety. This vivid panorama of disorder paints a powerful picture of a city at a standstill, ironically, orchestrated by its own protectors.

The troops’ frustration can be traced back to a deeper discord between them and the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. While these soldiers, trained under Turkish guidance, are hailed as elite, their realities paint a humbler portrait. Limited salaries, some say, barely cover life’s basic necessities. Such circumstances beg the question: How long can strained promises endure before they fracture trust?

Official silence fills the air, as government voices remain elusive. This incident lays bare the broader tapestry of challenges woven into Somalia’s security fabric. While efforts press on to knit stability into the nation, these events unravel seams, revealing frayed connections within military ranks.

In the aftermath, Mogadishu breathes tension and resilience in equal measure. As the sun set over a day marked by disruption, reflections on this event lingered. How might this unrest resonate beyond the cracked pavement of Ex-Control Afgooye? For now, the city waits, longing for resolution and stability.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.

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