Mogadishu police clash with residents over forced evictions
Three protesters killed before armed residents ambushed police in Daynile district, forcing officers to abandon wounded.
Somali police clashed with armed residents in Mogadishu’s Daynile district on Sunday during forced evictions and demolitions. The operation, which began with the demolition of dozens of homes in the Warlaliska area, resulted in three protesters being killed by police earlier that morning. Later, residents ambushed police, leading to an exchange of gunfire and the abandonment of wounded officers and a police pickup truck.
Videos showed injured police officers being carried by residents, who had taken some wounded officers into their custody. Former President Sheikh Ahmed urged residents not to hand over the officers to the government, stating Somalia lacked a legitimate government and suggesting they be given to their families instead. Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire accused Mogadishu Police Commander Moalim Mahdi and Yasin Ganey, commander of the western police force, of orchestrating the Daynile evictions and demolitions.
The confrontation continued into Monday with both sides holding their positions, though no further clashes were reported. The police operation aimed to evict residents and demolish homes in the Warlaliska area of Daynile district.
Why it mattersResidents of Mogadishu's Daynile district are directly affected by forced evictions and demolitions of their homes, leading to deadly clashes with police.