Friday January 12, 2024
Somaliland Police Officer Mohamed 'Hargeisa' was recently killed in a shooting incident involving Ethiopian forces at the Somaliland-Ethiopia border. SUPPLIED
Hargeisa (HOL) - Ethiopian forces in Qoolbulalle, a village on the Somaliland-Ethiopia border, have reportedly shot and killed a Somaliland police officer and a civilian, according to residents.
The deceased officer was identified only by his first name, Mohamed, but was nicknamed 'Hargeisa.' The civilian, a young man, was identified as Ismail Hassan Budul.
Media reports indicate that Ethiopian troops were responsible for the shootings near the border. However, it is not clear how many soldiers were involved in the shooting or the motive behind these actions.
The recent fatalities at the Somaliland-Ethiopia border, where Ethiopian forces shot a police officer and a civilian, are part of a pattern of similar incidents. Back in 2010, a confrontation at a checkpoint in Buhoodle involving Ethiopian forces and local residents resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people. This toll included three Ethiopian soldiers and at least ten civilians.
As of now, neither Ethiopian nor Somaliland authorities have provided official details about the shootings, including the reasons or any subsequent arrests.