By Goth Mohamed Goth
MOGADISHU — Tensions in the Somali capital have reached a boiling point as security forces clash with civilians amid mounting allegations that senior officials linked to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud are orchestrating mass land seizures under the cover of urban clearance operations. The unrest, compounded by the regular deployment of Turkish F-16 fighter jets over the city, has left residents fearful and increasingly defiant.
Land Grabs Disguised as Development
Over the past several months, Mogadishu has witnessed a wave of forced evictions and property demolitions, particularly in the Daynile and Kahda districts. Affected residents—many holding valid title deeds—say they have been given little to no notice before bulldozers move in, often under heavy armed escort.
Critics accuse the administration of using the evictions to clear prime real estate for commercial projects tied to influential figures within the president’s inner circle. What is officially described as “slum clearance” or “urban beautification,” opponents argue, is in reality a systematic land grab benefiting politically connected business interests at the expense of vulnerable communities.
The Somali Union of Islamic Scholars has joined calls for an independent inquiry, warning that the demolitions violate both Islamic law and the country’s own property statutes. “These people are not squatters,” said one community leader in Kahda. “They are owners. Their documents are being ignored because they have no political protection.”
Turkish Military Presence Under Scrutiny
Adding to public anxiety is the increasingly visible role of Turkish military assets in Mogadishu. Turkish F-16 fighter jets have been heard roaring over the city on an almost daily basis, with some flights coinciding with protest hotspots and residential neighborhoods.
While the federal government has framed the Turkish deployment as part of a bilateral counterterrorism partnership targeting Al-Shabab strongholds, many residents and opposition figures view it differently. They see the airstrikes and low-altitude flyovers as psychological warfare—a display of force intended to suppress dissent and intimidate civilian populations rather than protect them.
Security Crackdown and Civilian Toll
In recent days, large contingents of security forces have been deployed across Mogadishu, blocking major roads and restricting movement in multiple neighborhoods. Gunfire has been reported in several districts, and at least four people have been killed, with many more wounded and rushed to local hospitals.
Witnesses describe chaotic scenes as families attempt to flee affected areas while soldiers erect checkpoints and conduct patrols. The atmosphere, they say, is one of exhaustion and despair—residents tired of violence, displacement, and the constant roar of warplanes overhead.
A City Running Out of Patience
From early morning through the night, Mogadishu has seen no respite. The combination of forced evictions, heavy-handed security tactics, and the militarization of the capital has pushed public anger to a breaking point.
Political analysts warn that unless the government addresses the underlying grievances—particularly land rights and transparent governance—the current unrest could spiral into a wider crisis. With the president’s extended mandate already under challenge, the administration faces growing pressure both at home and internationally to de-escalate and restore trust.
For now, however, Mogadishu remains a city under siege—not by militants alone, but by the very forces meant to keep it safe.
