Deadly Attack Ahead of Planned Demonstration Raises Fears of Escalating Political Violence in Somalia

Mogadishu (WDN) – In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre said that an armed attack targeted a meeting he was holding with his traditional leader, resulting in deaths and injuries. The attack, which has intensified concerns over Somalia’s worsening political and security climate, reportedly caused multiple casualties, although the exact number of victims has not yet been officially disclosed.

Kheyre directly accused former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of being behind the attack, stating that it was deliberately organized and orchestrated against opposition figures. The serious accusations come amid escalating political tensions and deepening divisions within Somalia’s leadership, raising fears of further instability and confrontation.

The development comes just a day before a major opposition-led demonstration scheduled for June 4, an event that has already heightened political anxiety and prompted increased security deployments across the capital.

Political tensions in Somalia’s capital escalated dramatically armed forces reportedly loyal to former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and Member of Parliament Jafar established positions in the vicinity of the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu’s Warta Nabada district.