The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that approximately 12,500 families have been displaced due to recent armed confrontations in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. In a statement released on Friday, the agency announced that 13 people were killed and 189 others were wounded in the clashes. The assessment revealed that intense fighting broke out on the evening of June 3, 2026 between Somali government troops and soldiers loyal to opposition leaders, causing great concern for the protection of civilians. The fighting initially began in the Dabka Junction area before spreading to densely populated areas such as Howlwadaag, Hodan, Wardhiigley, Abdiasis, and other parts of Kaaraan. The statement also noted that civilians faced difficulties in fleeing from the areas during the armed clashes, resulting in increased civilian casualties. UNHCR further reported that the fighting had a significant impact on vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people, individuals with disabilities, and others with special protection needs. The statement was jointly compiled and released by UNHCR, Protection of Civilians (PoC), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). These organizations have warned that the escalation of violence in densely populated areas has created a multi-faceted insecurity crisis, posing risks of death, injury, damage to residential areas and civilian infrastructure, and insecure housing conditions, as well as reduced access to humanitarian aid. The statement calls on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law, including the obligation to distinguish between civilians and combatants, protect public infrastructure and facilities, and ensure access to humanitarian aid and security.
