Ugaas Abdirisaaq Ugaas Abdullahi Ugaas Hashi, the traditional leader of the Murursade clan, has condemned a recent government security operation in the Warlaliska neighbourhood of Mogadishu’s Dayniile district, calling on federal authorities to halt what he described as land seizures, forced evictions and abuses against local residents.
The Ugaas urged the Federal Government and security officials to reconsider their approach to the disputed land, insisting that civilians should not be subjected to military force to resolve property disputes.
He also called on the authorities to respect previous agreements reached over land ownership and settlement in the area.
He appealed to residents of Dayniile to remain united in defending their land and rights, while avoiding actions that could trigger further violence or loss of life.
His statement comes amid growing concern over events in Warlaliska, where a government operation involving the demolition of houses reportedly led to confrontations with residents and widespread complaints from the local community.
Residents said their homes were being demolished unlawfully and accused the authorities of attempting to forcibly remove them from land they claim to own. The operation reportedly prompted protests as residents resisted the demolitions.
Local media outlets reported that security forces opened fire during the unrest, leaving three people dead and several others wounded.
Some reports put the number of people taken to medical facilities at as many as 16, although the casualty figures have not been independently verified.
The incident has heightened fear among residents, with some families reportedly leaving their homes over concerns that demolitions could resume or that further clashes might erupt.
Reports from Dayniile also indicate that government forces have deployed additional personnel and military vehicles to the neighbourhood, raising concerns about a possible escalation.
Some media outlets have reported clashes between government troops and armed local groups, suggesting that the security situation remains tense.
Residents fear that the increased military presence could precede another demolition operation, while the grievances and reported casualties from the earlier incident remain unresolved.
However, claims that the government is preparing a new assault have not been independently confirmed. The reported movement of troops should therefore be distinguished from any officially announced plan for another operation.
The dispute in Warlaliska is not new. The neighbourhood has previously experienced tensions over house demolitions and complaints about the authorities’ handling of land ownership.
Some residents maintain that they have legitimate legal claims to their homes and plots, while the government operation has been described as targeting structures authorities consider to be on disputed land.
At the centre of the dispute is the need to establish who legally owns the contested property, what agreements were previously reached and the legal grounds on which the latest operation was conducted.
Without a transparent process accepted by the parties involved, the dispute could lead to further insecurity and displacement.
The incident has also drawn criticism from political figures. Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire condemned the reported shooting of people protesting against the destruction of their homes and extended condolences to the families of those he said had been killed.
Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also expressed concern over the situation in Dayniile, calling for an end to what he described as the abuse of state authority and violations against civilians.
The interventions by the two former leaders, alongside the Ugaas’s statement, have brought greater political and public attention to the dispute, which has developed beyond a disagreement between residents and local authorities.
The Federal Government now faces calls to provide clear answers about the operation, including why it was launched, which officials authorised it, the laws under which the demolitions were carried out and how ownership of the disputed land was assessed.
There are also demands for an investigation into the reported deaths and injuries, including the circumstances in which security forces used live ammunition and whether civilians were unlawfully harmed.
Any confirmed victims should have access to a credible process for establishing the facts and protecting their rights.
The authorities are also under pressure to prevent the land dispute from escalating into a broader confrontation between security forces and residents, which could result in further casualties and displacement.
Ugaas Abdirisaaq’s intervention adds to growing community and traditional pressure on the government as residents continue to raise concerns over the demolitions and the reported casualties.
Resolving the Warlaliska dispute is likely to require more than additional security deployments.
It will depend on credible dialogue, transparent verification of land ownership, respect for the law and an impartial investigation into the events surrounding the operation.
