Saturday, 6 June (Baidoa Online) -The owner of Elite Hotel, Abdullahi Mahmoud Noor, has accused armed security forces of forcibly entering and taking control of his hotel in Mogadishu, alleging that the operation was not a legitimate security inspection but an attempt to damage the property and seize assets.

In a statement released on Saturday, Noor said heavily armed troops entered Elite Hotel at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time. According to his account, the forces secured the premises and gathered hotel security personnel and staff members in a separate location while conducting what they described as a search operation.

Noor questioned the nature of the operation, arguing that the deployment of heavy weapons inside a commercial property suggested intentions beyond a routine inspection. He further alleged that there could be attempts to justify potential damage to the property by claiming weapons were discovered inside the hotel, an accusation for which he did not provide evidence.

“The manner in which the forces entered the hotel and the equipment they brought with them raises serious concerns about the true purpose of the operation,” Noor said in the statement.

He also expressed concern about the safety of the hotel's assets and reputation, claiming that any damage or losses resulting from the operation should be investigated.

Noor alleged that the forces involved were acting under the authority of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and said he would hold the president responsible for any damage, loss, or incidents occurring at the property. The government has not publicly responded to the allegations, and the claims have not been independently verified.

In recent months, Noor has been publicly associated with opposition political circles amid Somalia's ongoing constitutional and electoral disputes. The broader political crisis has fueled tensions between the federal government and opposition leaders, with clashes reported in parts of Mogadishu involving security forces and militias aligned with opposition figures. International partners and regional organizations have repeatedly called for dialogue and restraint to prevent further escalation.

As of publication, authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the reported operation at Elite Hotel.