Somalia: Government forces mass near opposition leaders’ homes

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Large numbers of government forces have been deployed around the residences of Somalia’s former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire near Mogadishu airport. Local media increasingly report that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud intends to launch a military operation to disarm opposition leaders.

Military trucks and armoured vehicles were seen racing to the area on Saturday night, prompting fears that clashes could erupt overnight. As of Sunday, heavily armed units remained near the opposition politicians’ homes on Jayga Road.

Zakariye Timo-adde, an exiled Somali journalist, reported on Saturday night that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had told clan elders with ties to Sharif that he would launch an operation to disarm him within three days unless he laid down his weapons voluntarily. The journalist said the president had also rebuffed a proposal from Sharif to de-escalate the situation.