Sunday April 25, 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) - Former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that federal government troops attacked his home on Sunday afternoon as heavy fighting erupted in the seaside district of Abdiaziz.
"It is very unfortunate that an army under the command of the former president attacked my residence. I have already warned and reiterated the dangers of politicizing the security sector. Farmajo is responsible for the consequences of this attack."
The clashes are between soldiers loyal to President Farmajo and government soldiers opposed to the controversial term extension passed on April 12.
A resident told HOL that many of his neighbours have already fleed or made plans to evacuate when the fighting subsides.
The fighting is said to be concentrated in the Marino neighbourhood.
Former Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed both reside in the neighbourhood.
Presidential candidate, Abdirahman Abdishakur, also claimed that his house was attacked by government troops.
Somalia's Minister of Interior Security, Hassan Hundubey, denied that government troops attacked either of them. He described the battles as an operation against armed groups and said that it was complete.
The fighting began in Mogadishu on Sunday afternoon when a batallion of federal government troops commanded by Col. Saney Abdulle vacated their post in Middle Shabelle overnight and repositioned themselves strategically in the city's north side. The soldiers were protesting the controversial term extension that has widened the cracks in Somalia's security apparatus.