MOGADISHU, Somalia — Residents fled parts of central Mogadishu on Wednesday after heavy gunfire broke out near the home of former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, escalating tensions ahead of planned anti-government demonstrations.
The shooting occurred in the Howl Wadaag district, where Khaire said government forces attacked his residence before opposition protests expected in the capital. Video from the area showed civilians running through streets as bursts of gunfire echoed nearby.
Khaire, a former prime minister and prominent opposition figure, accused security forces of targeting him in an attempt to intimidate government critics. He said the incident came ahead of demonstrations against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s rule. The Somali government had not immediately issued a detailed public response to the allegation.
Local reporting said the exchange of fire caused panic in nearby neighbourhoods and forced residents to shelter indoors or leave the area. Somalia Today reported that at least three people were killed and eight others wounded in the clash, though those figures had not been independently confirmed by national authorities at the time of reporting.
The incident highlights growing political tension in Somalia, where opposition leaders have accused the government of suppressing protests and using security forces to restrict political activity. Supporters of the planned demonstrations say they are protesting governance failures, insecurity and what they describe as President Mohamud’s refusal to respect constitutional limits.
Mogadishu has seen similar tensions before. Earlier opposition protests in the capital were disrupted by security forces, with local witnesses and opposition figures alleging that live fire was used to disperse demonstrators.
The latest unrest also comes as Somalia continues to face serious security challenges from al-Shabab, the al-Qaeda-linked group that regularly carries out attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of the country. The political confrontation risks adding further pressure to a capital already vulnerable to militant violence and factional security disputes.
Residents in Howl Wadaag said the sudden gunfire revived fears of wider clashes between government forces and armed supporters of opposition figures. In Somalia, political disputes can quickly become dangerous because many senior politicians retain armed guards and clan-based security networks.
For now, the immediate concern is whether the planned protests will proceed and whether security forces can prevent further violence. The confrontation near Khaire’s home has already deepened mistrust between the government and opposition at a sensitive moment for Somali politics.
