Tensions are rising in Beledweyne, central Somalia, amid reports of a military buildup near Ugaas Khalif Airport ahead of a possible visit by Abdifatah Hassan Afrah, a senior figure in Hirshabelle’s disputed electoral process.
Local reports indicate that armed personnel have been deployed to buildings near the airport, while Macawiisley fighters have reportedly mobilised in parts of the city and its outskirts. Reports of restrictions on aircraft movements remain unconfirmed. The scale of the deployment and the reported security orders have not been independently verified.
The developments come amid a political dispute over Hirshabelle’s leadership and electoral process. Traditional elders and political figures in Hiiraan have opposed the process and previously warned against allowing Hirshabelle officials to land at local airports without a political agreement.
The reports raise concerns about a possible security confrontation. However, armed mobilisation does not establish that fighting is imminent, and the reported visit and aircraft restrictions remain unverified.
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