Brawl at Mogadishu airport halts flight operations

The brawl has resulted in injuries inflicted on members from the two security units at the country’s main airport which the financial source of the weak government.

News Keydmedia Online
22 April 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Flight services at Mogadishu International Airport were temporarily ceased after clashes broke out between National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) agents and immigration officers on Thursday morning.

The brawl has resulted in injuries inflicted on members from the two security units at the country’s main airport which the financial source of the weak government.

The standoff began after the immigration officials tried to scrutinize the travel documents of foreign nationals who arrived at the airport heading to the spy agency.

KON learned that plain-clothed NISA agents rejected the foreigners to go through the check-in, leading to a scuffle that showed who security of the facility is fragile.

The clash between the two Somali security departments destroyed equipment, including computers and stamps, and damaging the windows of the VIP lounge.

Mohamed Aden Koofi, the head of the Immigration Service, and senior NISA officials intervened in the situation and airport operations have been resumed.

KEYDMEDIA English