Rockets and gunshots have been fired this Friday in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia as government forces faced protesters who are angered by delays in the nation’s elections.
Somalia has been embroiled in clashes between protesters, believed to be sponsored by the opposition, and Somalian forces.
In Friday’s clash, the protesters were joined by soldiers who donned red berets, with the state forces accused of launching rockets and shooting sporadically at protesters.
Locals have also been affected by the gunfire, and launched rockets taking down shops and an airport entrance.
The new attacks threaten Somalia’s unity with the military gradually getting divided across clans and further opening up cracks which may be inviting to terrorism in the country.
There are fears in the country that soldiers may leave their posts to go and fight for their clans, leading to an easier penetration for terrorists in the region, particularly Al-Shabaab.
Former Somalian President, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has accused national forces of attacking a hotel he stayed in as the fights threaten to intensify in the coming days.
The Somali government has announced the sealing off of streets and advised locals to stay indoors.
