Somalia: Puntland cabinet meets over UN bus attack, Taleh clashes

GAROWE, Somalia, April 23, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Puntland cabinet members discussed security situation following suicide attack on a bus carrying UNICEF workers and clan clashes in Taleh on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Puntland government said in a press statement released shortly after the weekly cabinet meeting in the capital, Garowe that robust investigations are underway for the rare terror attack that left four UNICEF staff dead and seven others including American wounded.

“Puntland cabinet hereby unveils that tight security is now in place across Puntland and at Government installations as well as international agencies facilities,” read the statement, adding that security sweeps led to the arrest of undisclosed number of terror suspects.

Meanwhile, Puntland called on warring sides in Sool region town of Taleh to desist from hostilities and resolve standing differences through peaceful means.

Somaliland troops in Taleh  

Despite clan clashes, Somaliland, Puntland’s arch-rival to the west deployed troops to the historic town of Taleh on Thursday, preventing Puntland delegation led by Deputy Minister of Ports Abdullahi Adan Isse (Tohe) from pre-planned arrival.

Tohe told Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe that Somaliland forces captured Taleh prior to their anticipated mediation efforts.

“Somaliland military incursion is recurrent, and I can say they are stoking the hostility [between the two clans],” noted Deputy Minister of Ports, urging Somaliland to pull out its troops from Taleh.

In reaction at Puntland’s mediation process, Somaliland Information Minister Abdullahi Dahir Ukuse confirmed that Somaliland troops reached Taleh, some 90km from Garowe to help local elders put clan grudges to an end.

Somaliland forces seized Taleh from the self-declared administration of Khaatumo last year in an incursion that drew condemnation from Puntland.

On Monday, Al Shabaab suicide bomber whose severed remains is being held by Police killed four UNICEF workers and two security escorts in front of UN compound in the state capital of Garowe.

The following day, two sub-clans of Dhulbahante-Samakab Ali and Farah Ali-clashed in deadly battle in nearby Taleh.

GAROWE ONLINE