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Heavy fighting broke out in Mogadishu on Thursday after security forces clashed with armed militia over a disputed piece of land that has been home to civilians for more than three decades.
The clashes took place around Horseed Stadium, located near Tarabuunka junction in the Hodan district of the Somali capital. The stadium was once the headquarters of the Somali Military Football Team before the country’s central government collapsed in 1991. Since then, local residents have lived on and around the land.
The conflict began after the federal government moved forward with plans to take back the stadium grounds for a redevelopment project. Several months ago, the government ordered residents to vacate the area, but many refused, saying they have lived there for years and have nowhere else to go. This resistance eventually led to an armed confrontation.
On Thursday, security forces arrived to enforce the government order, sparking a gunfight with militia members who oppose the eviction. Witnesses say the sound of heavy gunfire could be heard across Hodan district. Many families fled their homes, carrying their belongings and seeking safety in other parts of the city.
Hospitals in Mogadishu reported receiving injured civilians caught in the crossfire. Social media posts showed disturbing images of wounded young people, and residents said some houses were damaged by stray bullets. However, the government has not released any official statement on the number of casualties or the current situation.
For the residents, the dispute is about more than just land. Many of them settled in the area during the early 1990s, after Somalia’s central government collapsed and years of civil war displaced large numbers of people. They have built homes, raised families, and created a community there. To them, losing the land means losing their history and stability.
The government, on the other hand, argues that the stadium is public property and that its redevelopment will benefit the city as part of wider urban renewal plans. Officials have not provided details on what the redevelopment project will involve or whether alternative housing will be offered to displaced residents.
Tensions have been high since the eviction order was first announced. Community elders and civil society groups have previously called for negotiations to avoid violence, but no lasting agreement was reached. Thursday’s fighting shows just how volatile the situation has become.
As the standoff continues, residents remain caught between government forces and armed militia. Many say they are afraid to return home until the gunfire stops. Without dialogue or compromise, there are fears that more violence could erupt, worsening the humanitarian situation in Mogadishu.
The incident is a reminder of the deep challenges Somalia faces in balancing redevelopment with the rights and needs of communities that have endured decades of instability.