4 security officers, 1 civilian die in brief gunbattle in Somali capital

5 die in brief gunbattle in Somali capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Somali police officer says at least four security personnel and a civilian were killed when two groups of security officers fought over where to collect their salaries.

Ali Nur Mohamed Hassan says the 15-minute shootout occurred Wednesday when dozens of military officers went to a police base in the Somali capital to collect their pay.

Police told the military officers to go to the presidential palace to collect pay, but the military men refused, starting a gunfight, Hassan said. He said he was at the base but did not take part in the shootout.

Senior commanders stopped the fighting, he said.

Somalia’s security personnel do not receive regular paychecks, and often threaten violence, but this is the first incident where security officers have actually fought over pay.