Somali government security forces deployed across Mogadishu’s Abdiaziz district on Saturday, launching what authorities described as a targeted operation to recover illegal weapons following a tense armed confrontation between state forces and fighters linked to former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
The operation, involving police and intelligence personnel, comes a day after violence erupted in the district, exposing growing political and security tensions in the Somali capital amid disputes involving influential opposition figures.
In a statement, Banadir Regional Police Commander Moalim Mahdi said security forces were conducting searches aimed at locating weapons allegedly hidden by armed groups involved in the clash.
“Security forces are carrying out an operation to collect illegal weapons used by militias that attacked security personnel in Abdiaziz district. These weapons have been concealed in various locations and efforts are underway to recover them,” the statement said.
The government has characterised the armed men involved in the confrontation as militias operating outside the law, a description that is likely to deepen controversy given the reported links of some fighters to former President Sheikh Sharif, one of the country’s most prominent opposition politicians.
Mahdi urged residents of Abdiaziz and surrounding neighborhoods to cooperate with security agencies and assist ongoing operations.
“Citizens are advised to work closely with security institutions as they perform their national duties to ensure public safety and stability. No individual will be allowed to store or conceal illegal weapons intended to undermine security in Mogadishu or elsewhere in the country,” he said.
The police commander warned that authorities would take strict legal action against anyone found storing, transporting or facilitating the movement of unauthorised weapons.
Security agencies also called on the public to report suspected weapons caches through emergency hotlines, saying those aiding the concealment of arms would face prosecution under Somali law.
The latest developments underscore rising concerns over the proliferation of armed political factions in Mogadishu, where disputes between government forces and groups aligned with opposition leaders have periodically threatened stability.
The situation in Abdiaziz appeared calm on Saturday after Sheikh Sharif reportedly vacated the area on Friday. However, the heavy deployment of government forces and the subsequent security sweep are expected to fuel debate over whether the operation is solely aimed at enforcing security measures or reflects a broader political confrontation between the federal government and its critics.
Neither Sheikh Sharif nor representatives of his camp immediately commented on the government’s allegations regarding the presence of illegal weapons.