A Somali intel officer killed in a government forces' fight in Mogadishu

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A Somali intel officer killed in a government forces' fight in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) At least one officer of the Somali national intelligence agency (NISA) was killed and several others injured after two rival functions of the Somali military and the intelligence units clashed at a checkpoint outsid

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FILE PHOTO: Dan wadaagta junction in Mogadishu's Wadajir neighbourhood.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) At least one officer of the Somali national intelligence agency (NISA) was killed and several others injured after two rival functions of the Somali military and the intelligence units clashed at a checkpoint outside the heavily-fortified Mogadishu airport on Wednesday, witnesses said.

Captain Ulug Arabey was shot dead after his unit of the NISA fought against another unit from the military at the Dan Wadaagta checkpoint, in Mogadishu's Wadajir district.

According to witnesses, heavy gunfight ensued after the military unit, who were mainly from Abgal clan, attempted to access the checkpoint but were blocked by the the NISA unit of Habargedir clan which protects the airport and the Halane camp which hosts many of the United Nation agencies and the foreign embassies.

The commander of the checkpoints Abdiqani Ibrahim confirmed the death of his colleague during the gun-fight.

Residents said the streets became empty and the businesses in the area closed as the two armed functions exchanged heavy machine guns. At least two shops and a pharmacy in the neighbourhood were hit with stray bullets.

The local security officials are yet to comment on the matter. However, media reports that the situation remains calm in the afternoon hours.

The state-aligned militia groups are now part of the various functions of the security such as the police, the intelligence service and the military. They are an underlying source of insecurity, violent contestation, abusive rule, impunity and pernicious outside manipulation.