Hargeisa, Somalia — Tensions rose sharply in Hargeisa on Monday after gunfire erupted at the city’s international airport during a confrontation involving airport security forces and the security escort of former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi. The incident triggered protests across multiple neighborhoods, raising renewed concerns about the region’s political stability.
Airport Clash Sparks Citywide Alarm
According to police officials, the confrontation began when airport security personnel encountered the former leader’s guards at a restricted area inside the airport. What initially appeared to be a routine security check escalated rapidly, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Authorities confirmed that two soldiers have been detained following the incident, pending an internal investigation to determine responsibility and the sequence of events.
Passengers and airport workers reported moments of confusion as shots rang out, prompting a temporary lockdown of parts of the terminal. No casualties have been officially confirmed.
Protests Spread Across Hargeisa
Within hours of the airport confrontation, demonstrations emerged in several parts of the city. Groups of residents, some aligned with the former leader’s clan, blocked roads and denounced what they described as heavy-handed treatment by security forces. Sporadic gunfire was also reported in select districts, though the situation remained fluid by late afternoon.
Security forces were deployed to calm the situation and reopen key roads.
Clan Elders Accuse Government of Targeted Hostility
Elders from the Subeer Awal clan — the clan of Muse Bihi Abdi — took to Facebook and other social media platforms to condemn the incident. They alleged that the former president was deliberately targeted, calling the confrontation “provocative and unacceptable.”
Some elders issued strong warnings to the current administration, accusing it of pursuing “personal political interests” and abandoning the balance traditionally maintained between Somaliland’s major clans.
The statements quickly circulated online, further intensifying the public debate.
A Familiar Fault Line: Governance and Clan Politics
Political analysts say the airport incident has exposed deeper issues within Somaliland’s internal governance. Critics argue that the region’s political institutions remain heavily influenced by clan dynamics, making them vulnerable to sudden flare-ups when sensitive clan interests feel threatened.
For years, observers have warned that Somaliland’s stability depends on careful power-sharing and equitable representation among major clans. Today’s unrest, they argue, reflects those long-standing structural tensions.
Security Faces Pressure to Clarify Events
As calm began returning to parts of Hargeisa by evening, the administration came under growing pressure to provide a transparent account of what sparked the confrontation and how it plans to prevent further escalation.
The Ministry of Interior has yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the incident, though officials say an investigation is underway.
What Comes Next
With emotions high and political friction resurfacing, leaders across the region will be closely watched in the coming days. Whether dialogue, accountability, and de-escalation prevail will determine if Hargeisa’s unrest remains an isolated incident or signals a broader shift in Somaliland’s political landscape.
W/Q Abdi haybe Hargeisa Somaliland
