Somalia’s opposition accuses govt of deploying Turkish Kamikaze drones in assassination attempts
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A wave of violent clashes erupted in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, this past week, leaving a trail of devastation and sparking serious allegations from the country’s opposition leaders. The fighting, which began on Wednesday and persisted through Thursday, resulted in nearly two dozen deaths and left approximately 200 people wounded. Amid the chaos, […]
Black News 
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A wave of violent clashes erupted in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, this past week, leaving a trail of devastation and sparking serious allegations from the country’s opposition leaders. The fighting, which began on Wednesday and persisted through Thursday, resulted in nearly two dozen deaths and left approximately 200 people wounded.
Amid the chaos, prominent opposition figures have accused the federal government of deploying Turkish-supplied kamikaze suicide drones to target them. Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire reported that federal government troops launched an attack on a compound where he was meeting with traditional leaders in the Howlwadag district. Following the initial assault, his forces engaged in fierce gun battles with troops loyal to the incumbent president. Khaire alleged that, alongside mortar fire, these kamikaze drones were launched from the presidential palace. He stated the attack was a deliberate attempt to kill him, along with 60 clan leaders and intellectuals who were gathered to discuss methods for preventing further violence and establishing a framework for mediation to resolve the ongoing political stalemate.
The allegations against the federal government also implicate international actors. Opposition figure Abdirahman Abdishakur claimed that Turkey is directly involved in Somalia’s political crisis, asserting that Ankara is standing firmly behind President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud amid the deadlock over delayed elections. Abdishakur further alleged that weaponry provided by Turkey for the fight against Al-Shabaab, specifically suicide drones, is being repurposed for use against the political opposition.
Similar sentiments were echoed on Saturday by Yusuf Gama’adiid, a spokesman for the Himilo party of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Gama’adiid accused Turkey of “blindly” supporting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alleging that the country’s involvement seeks the complete “destruction of Somalia.” He noted that while Turkey’s reputation in the Horn of Africa nation was once towering, it is now significantly weakening due to the conflict.
The severity of the clashes was evidenced on Thursday when opposition forces displayed Turkish-donated armored Somali army vehicles that had been destroyed during the overnight fighting on Wednesday.
Furthermore, Gama’adiid described an incident on Friday involving former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. According to the spokesman, as Ahmed was vacating his base in the Marinayo neighborhood under the auspices of international diplomatic mediation, his convoy was stopped by federal government troops. Gama’adiid characterized this encounter as a targeted assassination attempt, suggesting that foreign governments were involved in the coordination of the act, with specific accusations directed toward Ankara.
To date, Turkey has provided no official comment regarding these allegations.
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