MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Intense fighting broke out late Saturday night in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as unidentified armed men attacked security forces overseeing the demolition of homes in Daynile district, Caasimada Online news website reported on Sunday.
The violence erupted near the site of a former metal industry complex, where Somali authorities have been dismantling dozens of houses built on what the government claims is public land. The attackers reportedly used rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and machine guns against security forces guarding the demolition operation.
“It’s the second night we’ve woken up to RPG blasts and heavy gunfire along Industrial Road. May Allah protect us,” said a resident of the area.
While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, the clashes have heightened fear among residents of Daynile, where tensions have been escalating. A protest earlier on Saturday led to road closures and further unrest.
Local elders representing residents displaced from the site have condemned the demolitions, accusing business interests of illegally acquiring the land. They allege that longstanding communities are being evicted without due process. Some traditional leaders have even urged residents to resist the evictions by force.
Members of parliament who visited the area over the weekend also criticized the government’s demolition campaign, calling it illegal and inhumane. They argue that the evictions disproportionately affect vulnerable families and violate constitutional protections.
Over the past several months, the Somali federal government has overseen the demolition of tens of thousands of homes across Mogadishu. Authorities say the structures were built unlawfully on former government-owned properties, including offices and industrial zones.
However, prominent MPs, including opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur, claim the land is being sold to wealthy businesspeople, with proceeds allegedly diverted into the personal accounts of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his close associates. They further allege that the revenue has not been recorded in the national budget or deposited into the central bank.
The federal government has not yet responded publicly to the allegations.
The latest unrest underscores growing discontent over land rights and governance in Somalia’s capital, where rapid urban growth and weak institutional oversight continue to fuel conflict.
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