Somali Government Deploys Troops Near Opposition Leaders’ Residences in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU (SD) — Somali government forces have reportedly deployed troops and military vehicles around the residences of former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in Mogadishu, while security forces have closed roads and restricted movement in nearby neighbourhoods amid escalating political tensions.

Local reports said large numbers of troops and armored vehicles were moved into the heavily secured Aden Adde International Airport compound late Saturday night. Additional security forces were reportedly positioned along roads and alleyways near the homes of the two prominent opposition figures, particularly in the Buulo Xuubey and Zoobe areas.

Residents reported that several roads and commercial areas had been blocked, disrupting traffic and restricting access for people living and working nearby. Images shared by residents reportedly showed security personnel preventing movement along sections of roads and warning civilians against using alleyways close to the opposition leaders’ residences. The duration of the restrictions remained unclear.

The troop movements come amid a broader political standoff between the federal government and opposition leaders over the country’s political direction, constitutional changes and electoral arrangements. The current tensions have revived concerns about a possible confrontation similar to clashes in Mogadishu in June, when government forces and armed groups aligned with opposition figures exchanged fire, damaging property and forcing civilians to flee affected areas.

The government’s security agency, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), has separately accused armed men loyal to Sheikh Sharif of attacking its forces in Mogadishu. The agency said the alleged incidents involved armed groups attempting to draw security personnel into a confrontation. The allegations reflect the sharply conflicting accounts offered by government authorities and opposition supporters over responsibility for the latest security tensions.

Opposition leaders have previously argued that political disagreements should be resolved through dialogue rather than military pressure. Sheikh Sharif has warned against using state security institutions to target political opponents, while the government has maintained that its security operations are necessary to protect public order. The specific purpose of the latest troop deployment and road closures has not been fully established in the available reporting.

The reported measures have raised concerns among residents and business owners about freedom of movement, access to essential services and the risk of renewed violence in densely populated parts of the capital. Any confrontation around the opposition leaders’ residences could expose nearby civilians to significant danger.

The reported deployment underscores how Somalia’s political disputes are increasingly intersecting with security operations in Mogadishu. The presence of troops near the homes of prominent opposition leaders, combined with road closures, risks deepening mistrust between the federal government and its critics, particularly when authorities have not publicly clarified the operation’s objectives.

The immediate priority is to prevent an armed confrontation and protect civilians. Transparent communication from the government, restraint by all armed actors and renewed political dialogue would help reduce the risk of another outbreak of violence. Somalia’s security institutions also face the challenge of maintaining public order while ensuring that political disagreements are not settled through the use or threat of force.