At least three people, including a soldier, were killed in Mogadishu after armed militias resisted a court order to hand over occupied land.
Police forces were enforcing a legal ruling to return the property to its rightful owner when gunmen opened fire, sparking a deadly confrontation.
The land had been illegally occupied for years. A court recently ruled in favor of the original owner — an elderly Somali man.
As police attempted to carry out the handover, the militias attacked the officers guarding the property, killing one and injuring others.
Police spokesperson Abdifatah Adan Hassan confirmed the violence and said some of the attackers fled the scene, abandoning weapons that were later seized.
“They ambushed our officers who were enforcing a lawful decision. One brave officer lost his life defending justice,” said Abdifatah at a press briefing.
He warned that anyone defying court rulings through violence would face legal consequences, and urged the public to respect judicial outcomes.
Weapons recovered from the scene were shown to reporters. Police described the fleeing attackers as cowards afraid to face justice.
Security forces remain stationed at the disputed property. While the area is now calm, tensions remain high following the deadly incident.
Land disputes are a leading cause of violence in Mogadishu, often resulting in deadly confrontations and long legal battles.
