Somalia: Puntland denies Galkayo airport seized by commandos

GALKAYO, Somalia-Puntland Government in northern Somalia has refuted reports that US-trained Somali commandos, Danab (Lightning) conducted unauthorized activities at Galkayo airport, Garowe Online reports.

Galkayo Airport General Manager Saed Abdirahman Yusuf (Dhegaweyne) told a news conference that reports on the presence of US-trained commandos dispatched by Mogadishu-based federal government are “baseless” and “unfounded”.

“This news does not correspond to the reality. We are firmly in charge of everything,” said the Puntland official, advising that media needs to always opt for objectivity.

Mogadishu-based press earlier reported that Danab commando unit landed at Galkayo airport for anti-Al Shabaab operations to be commenced in the countryside of southern swathes of central Mudug region.

Quoting unnamed sources, the counter-terrorism force is reported to have disrupted arriving and departing planes for hours.

Located at Puntland’s southern gateway, restive Galkayo has seen a respite from sporadic clashes in recent months.

Somali government forces aided by African Union peacekeepers have dislodged militants from a string of strategic towns in central and southern Somalia.

Somalia is trying to forge a strong national army from former clan militias.

GAROWE ONLINE