Government troops and opposition-allied militias exchanged heavy fire in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Wednesday and Thursday, damaging property and forcing civilians to flee their homes. The violence erupted ahead of planned protests against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's decision to remain in office after his term expired in May.

In March, parliament backed constitutional changes that could allow Mohamud to extend his term by a year and delay elections. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who led the country from 2009 to 2012, said government forces targeted his home and accused Mohamud's government of "illegally altering the constitution."

"The government forces encircled and attacked my house. I am never scared of their aggressive attack, I will fight back," Ahmed said in a Facebook video. Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire accused government troops of using heavy weapons, including anti-tank weapons and drones, in a densely populated area, describing it as a "sustained and indiscriminate military assault" aimed at killing him and Ahmed.

Fighting began around 5 p.m. Wednesday and continued into Thursday morning, with thousands of government troops deployed in Mogadishu's Howl Wadag and Abdiasis districts. Residents reported mortar shells landing on homes, causing injuries and fires. At least two armored vehicles were burned by opposition-allied militias, witnesses said.

Somalia has been plagued by conflict and clan warfare since the fall of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, and is also battling a nearly two-decade-long insurgency by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabaab group. The U.S. embassy in Mogadishu described the violence as "reckless" and urged all sides to resolve differences peacefully. The UK also called for restraint and dialogue.

Source: www.theguardian.com