Somalia: NISA and police clash in Mogadishu Airport

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A section of troops from the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] and the police on Thursday clashed at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, a move that could be an acid test for Somalia's security agents.

For decades, the synergy between Somalia's security agents has been questioned, with the Heritage Institute of Policy Studies [HIPS] releasing a report that criticized the government's approach in solving the issues within the security sector.

Reports however indicate that the NISA agents clashed with Immigration officers at the airport, leading to temporary disruption of activities in the rather busy airport. The incident led to broken glasses and disruption of services, per reports.

The cause of dispute between the two security units is not yet clear.

Video footage obtained by Garowe Online shows the showdown between NISA agents and Somali immigration officers inside the main building of Aden Adde International Airport as travelers stared at them. The officers seem to disagree on an issue.

Since the illegal term extension by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, more plain-clothed NISA officers have been seconded to the Mogadishu Airport and were seen harassing travelers. This level of lawlessness at the airport is however unprecedented, observers say.

However, the government is yet to respond to the latest incident which had been widely condemned on social media by many concerned citizens. But such incidents are common in that Somali security forces to have struggled for stability for several years.

Elsewhere, gunmen shot and killed well-known dermatologists in the Al-Baraka area of Mogadishu according to reports. Dr. Hassan Osman Isse [Dr. Burane] was attacked while leaving his house according to state media, which did not give further details.

GAROWE ONLINE