Heavy fighting involving powerful weapons shook Somalia‘s capital, Mogadishu, throughout the night, raising fears of a renewed political crisis in a country still battling insecurity and militant violence.
Residents reported hearing sustained gunfire and explosions across parts of the city, while smoke was seen rising above several neighborhoods on Thursday morning. Security forces were deployed across key roads and strategic locations as authorities sought to contain the situation.
The clashes reportedly involved rival political groups amid growing tensions over Somalia’s political future.
The latest unrest follows a controversial announcement by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in mid-May extending his administration’s mandate by an additional year. His original term was expected to end on May 15.
The decision has sparked criticism from opposition figures and political rivals, some of whom argue that any extension should be agreed upon through broader political consensus rather than executive action.
Political tensions have continued to rise in recent weeks, with opposition groups planning demonstrations to protest the move.
Analysts warn that Somalia’s fragile political environment has often turned volatile when disagreements over elections, constitutional arrangements, and leadership transitions remain unresolved.
Thursday’s fighting revived memories of previous political standoffs in Mogadishu, where disputes among leaders occasionally resulted in armed confrontations between rival security factions and political allies.
Witnesses described a tense atmosphere across parts of the capital as residents remained indoors while security personnel increased patrols.
Authorities had not immediately released an official casualty figure, and it remained unclear how many people were injured during the overnight violence.
The developments come at a difficult time for Somalia, which continues to face security threats from the militant group Al-Shabaab while also dealing with economic challenges, displacement, and humanitarian pressures.
Opposition leaders have called for dialogue to resolve the dispute, while supporters of the government argue that political stability must be preserved as Somalia continues reforms aimed at strengthening state institutions.
With planned demonstrations still expected to take place, attention is now focused on whether political leaders can find common ground and prevent the latest tensions from developing into a broader national crisis.
The government had not issued a detailed statement on the overnight clashes by Thursday afternoon, though security forces remained deployed across several parts of Mogadishu as the situation continued to unfold.
