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Heavy fights erupt with several casualties reported across major routes in Mogadishu after opposition Somali Future Council was attacked by forces loyal to disputed president Hassa
Confirmed
In Short: Fighting erupted in Mogadishu after forces loyal to President Hassa attacked the Somali Future Council, resulting in several casualties and prompting the president to take security measures.
Heavy fighting broke out in Mogadishu on Wednesday after forces loyal to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attacked the Somali Future Council, an opposition coalition. The attack, which lasted about 15 minutes, saw the use of rocket-propelled grenades, according to a witness. Armed opposition forces clashed with Somali police, leading to several casualties.
President Mohamud, whose term has expired, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the opposition had been preparing for a peaceful demonstration. He added that he bears full responsibility for the violent attack on their consultative meeting. In response, he ordered the deployment of additional forces along key roads in Mogadishu to manage the situation.
Witnesses reported that the shooting lasted for about 15 minutes before it subsided, with the sound of explosions heard across the surrounding neighborhoods. The situation has raised concerns among residents, who fear further escalation if the political crisis is not resolved through dialogue.
International partners have urged Somali leaders to return to dialogue and agree on an electoral roadmap to prevent further violence. Both sides have called for restraint, but the heightened security presence and the possibility of further clashes have left residents worried about the future stability of the city.
Background
The Somali Future Council is an opposition coalition against the Federal Government of Somalia. It was founded on October 2, 2025 by the president of Puntland and the president of Jubaland as part of the ongoing constitutional crisis.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- “An attack was launched against us by forces commanded by the president whose term has expired,” Khaire said in a social media post on Wednesday, adding they had been preparing for a “peaceful demonstration” the…
- President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud “bears full responsibility for today’s violent attack on our consultative meeting”, he said.
- Somalia has fallen into yet another political crisis after Mohamud announced that his term had been extended for a year after it was due to expire on May 15.
- Witnesses told AFP they saw armed opposition forces clashing with Somali police.
- “The shooting lasted for about 15 minutes before it subsided. They even used RPGs [rocket-propelled grenades], and the sound of the explosions could be heard across the surrounding neighbourhoods,” said one witness,…
- President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reportedly held consultations with senior security officials and ordered the deployment of additional forces along key roads in Mogadishu, according to security sources.
- International partners have recently urged Somali leaders to return to dialogue and agree on an electoral roadmap to prevent further escalation.
- While both sides have publicly called for restraint, residents in Mogadishu have expressed concern over the heightened security presence and the possibility of clashes if the situation is not managed through…