Danab Forces denied a request by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo to deploy troops in Mogadishu streets ahead of a rally by the opposition.
The opposition had planned a rally on February 26 to display their displeasure at the government’s inability to prepare for and hold elections.
According to sources that spoke to the media on condition of anonymity, Farmaajo requested Danab to station its troops along streets in the nation’s capital.
At the time, Farmaajo was prepared for a day of bloodshed reminiscent of the deadly clashes witnessed in Mogadishu on February 19 at a previous opposition rally.
However, the top Danab commander refused to do as requested by Farmaajo.
Danab is a unit that received special training from the United States Special Operations Forces.
Nevertheless, Gorgor and Haram’ad, two other units of special forces in Somalia, assented to Farmaajo’s request and deployed their forces.