Friday July 19, 2024
Abudwak (HOL) — Somalia's Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, and his delegation have started preliminary meetings with elders and local intellectuals led by Ugas Mohamed Ugas Ahmed in the Abudwak district of the Galgadud region.
The Minister indicated that he came to the area to strengthen peace and stability, emphasizing that the federal government of Somalia will never allow anything to harm the peace and stability of the community.
The delegation arrived in Abudwak on Thursday to address the escalating security situation following the recent seizure of smuggled weapons by local militias. The delegation included officials from the federal government, the Galmudug state government, and lawmakers.
At least 12 people were killed when government soldiers and local militias fought over two truckloads of weapons illegally brought over the border from Ethiopia. The incident occurred in Shiilamow village, about 20 kilometers northwest of Abudwak, close to the Ethiopian border.
The Internal Security Ministry reported that government security forces had seized the weapons from "illegal weapons traders" and were escorting them when armed militias erected a checkpoint and intercepted the arms. The local militias overpowered government forces after receiving reinforcements from clan members, the official added.
Last night, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud chaired an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council in Mogadishu regarding the looted arms. The council instructed the Ministry of Internal Security to submit a detailed report and recommendations on illegal weapons smuggling into the country.