Mogadishu Insecurity: NISA attack on military officer's house sparks deadly confrontation

Visits: 1290
(Rating 0.0/5 Stars) Total Votes: 0
0 0
Share via Social Media

Mogadishu Insecurity: NISA attack on military officer's house sparks deadly confrontation

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) – The simmering tensions in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, erupted into a violent clash as members of the national intelligence and security agency (NISA) launched a raid on a residence of a military offic

Share

FILE PHOTO: Armed men in Mogadishu.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) – The simmering tensions in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, erupted into a violent clash as members of the national intelligence and security agency (NISA) launched a raid on a residence of a military officer in the Boondehere district, resulting in a tragic loss of lives and leaving several civilians injured.

Boondheere is on the proximity of the presidential palace.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos and terror as heavy gunfire reverberated through the densely populated neighborhood, forcing residents to flee to safety amidst the bustling market of Boondheere.

"I can see from my window. A tuk tuk driver is hit with bullet, but he is still in the tuk tuk,” expressed one resident, highlighting the perilous situation faced by civilians caught in the crossfire.

The exchange of gunfire, which lasted for over thirty minutes, saw both factions, armed with heavy weaponry, including machine guns and BKM and DShK, engage in a fierce standoff.

Despite the deployment of reinforcements by both sides, the violence eventually subsided, leaving behind an atmosphere of palpable tension.

Among the casualties was Sayid Ali Abdi, a military officer, who sustained injuries during the raid and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

His affiliation with a powerful clan and recent deployment to the frontline in the Middle Shabelle region have added layers of complexity to the unfolding situation.

There are no details about the attack and its motive.

Security officials gave no explanation yet.

However, speculations abound within the public sphere with some attributing the confrontation to clan-based divisions within the military and security apparatus.

"This is how Mogadishu is now. The shooting has now stopped but the two forces are still facing each other,” remarked a concerned resident who identified himself as Garaad, reflecting the prevailing sense of unease gripping the city.

The raid comes amidst escalating violence in Mogadishu, with the previous night witnessing a barrage of explosions, including mortars and IED attacks, targeting multiple districts and claiming the lives of at least four individuals, including innocent children, while leaving several others injured.

The recurring cycle of clashes between government forces, often along tribal lines, has engendered a climate of fear and uncertainty, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict.

As the Somali capital now grapples with the aftermath of yet another deadly incident, calls for a sustainable solution to end the cycle of violence grow louder.

But with deep-rooted clan rivalries and political tensions exacerbating the situation, the path to peace remains elusive, leaving the city residents trapped in a relentless cycle of unrest and terror.