• Heavy gunfire erupted in Mogadishu ahead of planned protests against President Mohamud’s term extension.
• Former Prime Minister Khaire accused government forces of attacking him to suppress opposition.
• International observers, including the US, described the violence as "reckless" and urged for dialogue.
• The situation follows a controversial decision by President Mohamud to extend his term by one year.
• Clashes have led to panic among residents, with reports of armed confrontations throughout the night.

Heavy gunfire erupted in Mogadishu as opposition leaders prepared for protests against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s extended term, which was initially due to expire on May 15. The unrest started when former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire reported being attacked by government forces on the eve of planned demonstrations. Khaire condemned this action, stating, "The responsibility for any casualties or damage resulting from this incident lies with the president whose term has expired," highlighting the dangerous political climate in Somalia, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

Clashes between government forces and opposition fighters intensified, causing widespread panic among residents who reported a "sleepless night" due to the violence. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with smoke rising over the city and sporadic gunfire being heard in multiple neighborhoods, emphasizing the precarious situation as many prepared for protests against the government, as reported by Africanews and BBC.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Khaire have condemned the government's actions, stating that such tactics will not deter the protests set for Thursday. Ahmed criticized the president for trying to "cause further bloodshed" while asserting that their movement was resolute despite the violence. His comments reflect a broader frustration among the opposition regarding the legitimacy of Mohamud's extended term, which many consider unconstitutional, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

As the situation unfolds, the US embassy in Mogadishu condemned the violence as "reckless" and called for all parties involved to seek peaceful resolutions. A joint statement from the EU and UN missions echoed this sentiment, expressing deep concern over the escalating clashes in the capital. The community remains apprehensive, with calls for dialogue and resolution overshadowed by the current turmoil, as emphasized by BBC and Africanews.