Garowe (KAAB TV) – Puntland government forces arrested a group of Ethiopian migrants last Tuesday after they illegally entered the Somali border, as confirmed by the regional government. The arrested individuals were immediately returned to Ethiopia.
Officials described the operation as part of efforts to combat smuggling networks, especially at a time when Puntland is facing security threats from ISIS-affiliated militias, which have attracted foreign fighters.
“We continue to take strict measures to ensure the control and prevention of illegal activities that may cause security challenges,” said a senior official of the Puntland army.
Last month, the Puntland administration deported nearly 1,000 undocumented Ethiopians from Garowe, the capital of the region, following a massive crackdown on undocumented foreigners.
The regional government has intensified its efforts to bring out the illegals, especially when they increased the operations against Daesh in Al-Miskaat mountains in the Bari region.
Puntland remains an important transit point for migrants trying to reach the Gulf countries or other parts of Somalia, as illegal migration remains a major challenge in the region.