More details have emerged about the fighting that broke out on Tuesday afternoon on the southern outskirts of Galkayo, the capital of Somalia’s Mudug region, where clan militias affiliated with the Galmudug administration clashed with Galmudug police escorting a shipment of military supplies reportedly sent by the Federal Government of Somalia.
The fighting erupted after armed militia from the Sacad sub-clan of the Habar Gidir intercepted two trucks carrying weapons and military equipment that were being escorted by Galmudug police.
The shipment, which included ammunition of various calibres and military uniforms, had been unloaded at the Galmudug-controlled airport in southern Galkayo.
Local journalist Abdulkadir Mohamed, speaking to Kaab TV from Galkayo, said the militias seized the weapons and transported them to the outskirts of the city.
Galmudug security forces later launched an operation to recover the shipment, triggering an armed confrontation.
“The fighting broke out at around 4:00 p.m., and at least seven people from both sides were reportedly wounded,” Abdulkadir said.
Ilyas Hassan Mohamed, widely known as “Cagaweyne,” the commander of the South Galkayo Police Station, said his forces were still pursuing the militia members who seized the weapons.
Sources said the military consignment originated in Mogadishu and was reportedly destined for northern Galkayo, which is controlled by Puntland. The area has recently witnessed heightened tensions between Puntland security forces and fighters loyal to the Puntland Security Force (PSF) faction led by Gen. Asad Diyaano, who has previously claimed to receive support from the Federal Government.
Two weeks ago, Puntland forces and the PSF clashed in Bosaso, where Puntland forces defeated fighters loyal to Gen. Asad Diyaano, who serves as the Commander of the Somali Federal Police Force.
Puntland Condemns Federal Government
The Puntland administration condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s transfer of weapons and personnel into Puntland territory.
In a statement issued by the Puntland Presidency, the administration praised forces on the Galmudug side for intercepting the arms shipment, which Puntland alleged was being transported into Puntland-controlled areas.
Puntland also urged its residents to remain vigilant against what it described as efforts by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to fuel conflict in Galmudug.
The seizure of the weapons came shortly after traditional elders from the Sacad and Majeerteen/Omar Mohamud clans in Galkayo held meetings aimed at preserving peace in the divided city, which has experienced growing security tensions in recent weeks, raising fears among residents of renewed violence.
Update: The Galmudug side presented this vehicle which they said was carrying weapons airlifted from Mogadishu into Galkayo south on Tuesday.
At least two people were injured after brief gunfight between Galmudug Darwish officers and police officers guarding the weapons and… https://t.co/94JkKRg9uA pic.twitter.com/eD3XM9857j
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