Civilians flee Mogadishu as troops and opposition militias trade fire

Government troops and militias allied with the opposition exchanged fire in Mogadishu, damaging property and forcing some civilians to flee. The clashes erupted ahead of planned protests over President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to remain in office after his term expired in May, and follow parliamentary backing in March of constitutional changes that could allow him to extend his term by a year and delay an election.

Former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said government forces encircled and attacked his home, calling the constitutional changes illegal. "The government forces encircled and attacked my house. I am never scared of their aggressive attack, I will fight back," he said in a video on his Facebook account posted overnight.

Former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire accused troops of using heavy weapons, including anti-tank weapons and drones, and said the government had launched "a sustained and indiscriminate military assault" aimed at killing him and Ahmed.

Somalia, Mogadishu

mogadishu, somalia, hassan mohamud, term extension, constitutional changes, protests, sharif ahmed, hassan khaire, anti-tank weapons, drones