Gunfire erupts in Mogadishu as Somali government forces seal off streets

Gunfire, rocket fire and mortar blasts have been reported in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, where opposition parties launched a protest rally despite a coronavirus lockdown enforced by the government.

One witness reported a heavy exchange of gunfire between security forces and armed guards protecting opposition supporters who began their march along Mogadishu's main airport road on Friday.

There can be casualties but we are taking cover now I don't know exactly what happened," Yusuf Mohamed told AFP.

"We were peacefully walking along the airport road together with former prime minister Hassan Ali Kheire, when the security forces opened fire on us, creating mayhem," said another witness, Fadumo Moalim.

"Many forces heavily attacked us, I am now on my chest in an alley. This is a massacre," protester Farah Omar told Reuters by phone.

Turkish-trained special forces of the Somali National Army (SNA), known as Gorgor, were said to be among the government military forces attacking the protesters.

Earlier on Friday, a hotel where two major opposition candidates were staying had come under heavy gunfire.

Former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the attack was ordered by outgoing president Mohamed Farmajo. Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed is known as Farmaajo. 

Another candidate, Farmajo’s former deputy Hassan Ali Khaire, claimed the attack was an assassination attempt.

"Tonight, Farmajo attacked us with armored vehicles. That is dictatorship. He attacked us and residents at Maida hotel," Ahmed tweeted after the attack.

"We ask all civilians to come out and respond," Ahmed pleaded.

However, Somalia's minister of security Hassan Hundubey Jimale accused the opposition of starting the fighting.

"Armed militia attacked government forces. We repulsed and overpowered the militias," Jimale said in an overnight statement.

Somalia's political scene plunged into chaos after an agreed-upon election date between the Farmajo and the opposition elapsed on Feb. 8.

Somalia election impasse: Opposition leaders say Farmajo no longer president

Somalia

Observes are worried that without mediation, the fighting could spread into the military and split the armed forces.

Rivalry along clan lines could strengthen the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab, experts said.

"The military is dissolving and many troops seemingly reverting to clan loyalties," said Colonel Ahmed Abdullahi.

"It's a mess" threatening the Horn of Africa country, warned a former commander who goes by the one-word name, Sheikh.

"My fear is that many SNA (Somali National Army) outstations will leave their bases to come and participate in the fighting and give more ground to al-Shabaab. This will really empower al-Shabab," Sheikh told Reuters.

Sheikh warned that if political rivalries between the disputing sides escalate into an open conflict, it will play right into the hands of the militants.

Car bomb explosion hits Somali hotel, militants claim responsibility

A car bomb explosion has hit a hotel in the center of Somalia

"Over a decade’s worth of gains might be lost," according to Commander Sheikh.

Al-Shabaab militants, who have fought successive Somali governments as well as neighboring governments in Uganda and Kenya, have been wreaking havoc across Somalia.

The militant group aims to oust the government in Mogadishu and drive out African Union peacekeeping troops who came to Somalia in 2011 to help eradicate the militants.

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