torsdag 4 juni 2026
Gunfire and smoke over Mogadishu – US warns
Somali soldiers patrol Mogadishu after clashes between government security forces and opposition.
1 / 2Photo: Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP/TT
Heavy gunfire echoes over Somalia's capital Mogadishu, according to reporters on the spot.
An ongoing political crisis appears to have turned into violent fighting between government forces and opposition. The US warns of long-term consequences.
Smoke has been rising over the city on the Indian Ocean since Wednesday. Heavily armed security forces patrol the streets.
- We heard heavy weapons being fired and people fled their homes. Many families are leaving the area in search of safer places, Abdullahi Mohamed in the Mogadishu district of Howlwadaag told the AP news agency.
The information about what is happening is contradictory. A major operation against “heavily armed militias” that have threatened stability in the capital is underway, police say, according to the AP.
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire instead claims that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has sent armed forces against the opposition ahead of planned protests against Mohamud’s rule.
Amended the constitution
“This evening, repeated attacks were directed at the residence of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Mogadishu by forces acting on the orders of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,” Khaire wrote on X late Wednesday, continuing:
“Now he is mobilizing state forces to silence those who oppose his unconstitutional hold on power.”
The country in the Horn of Africa was supposed to hold elections in May, but instead the president extended his own mandate through a constitutional amendment in March. Mohamud himself claims that he is trying to move the country towards democratic elections and replace the current clan-based system, where large clans have far-reaching influence. The opposition sees it as a way to concentrate all power around the president.
Humanitarian crisis
According to Khaire, the flare-up of fighting has claimed lives.
“Heavy weapons more associated with the battlefield than densely populated urban areas, including anti-tank weapons, drones and more, have been directed at us,” he wrote on X on Thursday.
The US embassy in Mogadishu calls the violence “reckless.” Somali leaders on all sides have a responsibility to preserve stability, they write on X.
“Measures taken in the coming hours and days could have long-term consequences for Somalia’s security, unity and future.”
Somalia has long been hard hit by political crises and conflicts between clans, the Islamist group al-Shabab and weak governments. Combined with a prolonged drought, this has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Middle East crisis
Iran War
Iran's Leader: US Humiliated and Wants to Sow Division
In a written statement read out in Iran's pro-regime media, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says the US has suffered "a clear and profound humiliation on the battlefield and in the streets". This is reported by several news agencies.
"Since Iran managed to repel the enemy, which was defeated on the battlefield, they are now trying to undermine the resilience of the Iranian people and sow division", Khamenei continues in the statement.
The ceasefire that formally prevails in the war is reportedly being broken almost daily.
Israel-Hezbollah
UN soldier killed in Lebanon
A UN peacekeeper in southern Lebanon is dead and two more soldiers are injured after their base was hit by shells last night, several news agencies report. It is not clear where the shelling came from.
Despite Israel and Lebanon saying they have agreed to a continued ceasefire, there are many indications that the fighting will continue, writes AFP. Israel has shelled targets in southern Lebanon during the morning and according to Defense Minister Israel Katz, it also has “freedom of action, with US support, to strike in Beirut in response to fire on Israeli communities”.
Hezbollah also does not seem to plan to lay down its arms, and said earlier this week that it will not accept “a unilateral ceasefire”.
Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire
Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement to extend the ceasefire between the countries, several media outlets report. The agreement was negotiated with the help of American mediators.
As part of the agreement, new security zones will be established around Lebanon “urgently”, according to a joint statement - The zones will be controlled by the Lebanese military and the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah will be prohibited from operating in the area. Israel is also demanding that Hezbollah stop attacking and withdraw from its strongholds in southern Lebanon.
The announcement of the ceasefire comes as fighting in Lebanon has escalated in recent days. Many are skeptical that the agreement will actually hold, as attacks continued even after the countries decided to end the fighting earlier this year.
Iran's leader: US humiliated
The US has suffered "a clear and profound humiliation on the battlefield and in the streets". This is what Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei claims according to a written statement read out in pro-regime media.
"Since Iran managed to repel the enemy, which was defeated on the battlefield, they (the US) are now trying to undermine the resilience of the Iranian people and sow division", the statement, which is spread by international media, further states.
"The US has created a military base called Israel, and Iran will not change its line against Israel".
On paper, there is a ceasefire in the war that the US and Israel started in February, but it is broken on a daily basis. Sporadic talks about a more permanent settlement are ongoing, but the parties have given different signals about how well they are going.
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