Mogadishu, Somalia – A young newlywed has become the latest casualty of political tensions in Mogadishu after a stray bullet pierced the walls of his room, ending a life full of promise.
Ali Abdirahman, a Qur’an memorizer and dedicated student of religious recitation in Somalia’s Banaadir region, had married only days before the incident. According to local media, he was struck by a stray bullet during armed clashes between government forces and security personnel allied with opposition leaders near Wardhiigley Police Station on Wednesday afternoon. He succumbed to his injuries three days later.
Ali is the third confirmed victim of the skirmish. A soldier involved in the confrontation and a schoolgirl attending class were also killed when gunfire spilled into civilian areas.
The confrontation reportedly erupted amid mounting tensions between rival political camps over control of key security installations in the capital. Witnesses said the exchange of fire continued for hours, sending residents scrambling for cover as bullets ricocheted through homes and public spaces.
News of Ali’s death has sparked public outcry, with many Somalis lamenting the recurring pattern of civilians paying the price for political rivalries. Community elders and religious figures have urged authorities to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.
As Somalia pushes toward political stability, incidents like this underscore the fragility of peace in the capital — where ordinary citizens continue to bear the consequences of power struggles far beyond their control.