Hiiraan Online

Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, speaker of Somalia’s parliament and currently serving as acting president while President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attends the United Nations General Assembly in New York, speaks to security officers at Warta Nabadda police station in Mogadishu on Sept. 25, 2025, a day after deadly clashes between government forces and opposition-linked militias. (SUPPLIED)

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s government on Thursday deployed armoured vehicles and heavily armed troops across Mogadishu, concentrating forces on roads leading to opposition leaders’ residences, in a show of strength that has heightened fears of renewed political unrest.

The deployment came a day after deadly clashes erupted at Warta Nabadda police station, where government forces and militias linked to opposition figures exchanged gunfire, leaving casualties and damaging the facility.

Opposition sources said Thursday’s mobilization was intended to monitor the movements of political rivals and disrupt alleged arms smuggling into the capital. Photos shared by opposition officials showed armoured personnel carriers blocking key routes near Aden Adde International Airport.

The increased military presence follows opposition calls for peaceful protests this weekend against what they describe as illegal land seizures by senior government officials. Residents expressed concern that the demonstrations could escalate into violence if security forces and opposition supporters collide.

Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, the speaker of parliament who is serving as acting president while President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attends the United Nations General Assembly in New York, toured Warta Nabadda station Thursday and condemned the clashes as “deeply regrettable.” He praised government forces for limiting casualties but warned opposition leaders against inciting unrest.

Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre on Wednesday condemned what he described as a :failed coup attempt."

“The bullets I saw at the station were even heavier than those used in the civil war,” Madobe said. “It is shameful for this country to be dragged once again into chaos and disorder. What happened yesterday should never have been carried out by anyone who has held office and still seeks leadership.”

Madobe also announced an investigation into a separate incident at Mogadishu’s Sinay market, where police officers were accused of assaulting civilians. He said officers who beat an elderly man had been arrested and would face justice.

The acting president urged security forces to tighten protection in the capital and called on opposition leaders to avoid mobilizing the public for confrontation. “What you are pursuing is not in the public interest,” he said. “Do not let what happened yesterday be repeated.”