Garowe (Kaab TV) – Three Ethiopian citizens were killed in two days in Somalia’s Puntland region for allegedly “having links with Daesh (ISIS),” while several Ethiopians were said to have been arrested. , as residents told Addis Standard.
According to Ethiopians in Puntland, “Violence, illegal arrests, beatings and robberies” targeting Ethiopian refugees and migrants have increased in several cities including Garowe, the regional capital as well as Bosaso and Kalkaw.
Eyewitnesses said that the violence started on January 26, 2025, when an Ethiopian was killed by government security forces. The next day, two other Ethiopians were reportedly “beaten by the people” and killed in Bosaso.
One of the residents of Puntland, who asked not to be named, told Addis Standard that the killing was related to allegations that Ethiopians are “involved in the terrorist group ISIS [locally known as Daesh].”
ISIS, recognized as a terrorist organization, operates in Puntland areas, and is known to have links with Al-Shabaab rebels and the Houthis.
However, local residents questioned the targeting of Ethiopians and said, “Ethiopians may be involved, but to punish all Ethiopians on the pretext that a few individuals are related to this group is not fair.” ah.
Puntland’s security forces are said to have arrested “thousands of Ethiopians,” local residents said. “In Garowe alone, more than 500 Ethiopians are imprisoned by the government,” he said, claiming that those arrested are civilians who are not known to have links with armed groups.
Another Ethiopian who spoke to Addis Standard said the crackdown appears to be related to the “increasing hostility” against Ethiopians, which escalated after Ethiopia signed a maritime accord with the Ethiopians. Somaliland—a treaty that Somalia opposes.
“If this is not motivated by hatred, the justification given does not explain the widespread targeting of all Ethiopians,” he said, adding that similar violence has occurred in the consensus.
Local residents also said that the Puntland forces, including police and militia, were involved in attacks on Ethiopia’s Abyssinia. He accused the people of Puntland “of threatening the Ethiopian people to leave the country and give up their property because of hatred”.
“This is not about what they are claiming now; It is based on the deep resentment some Somalis have towards Ethiopians,” he said, describing the killings, attacks, threats and looting as ongoing issues.
Ethiopian refugees in Puntland have already faced similar problems. In June 2024, Puntland authorities ordered Ethiopians “illegally” living in Garowe without refugee documents to leave immediately, citing concerns about their “increasing numbers”. and the alleged impact on local employment opportunities.”
Addis Standard previously reported that there has been an increase in “threats and violence” against Ethiopians in Somalia following the MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
At that time, Addis Standard contacted the UNHCR East Africa regional office regarding the safety of Ethiopian refugees. The organization acknowledged awareness of the attacks and said it is working with government officials to ensure the protection of the refugees from AS.