Somalia: Puntland seizes weapons and drugs in Garowe

GAROWE, Somalia - The regional state of Puntland on Sunday displayed weapons and drugs seized during the most recent operations in Garowe, the regional administrative capital of the northern state of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Abdirahman Haji Abshir, the governor of Nugal, said one civilian killed and two other people sustained injuries during the operation, adding that the security forces are keen to pursue criminal elements within the region.

He added that the security forces cleared illegal weapons in Garowe. The capital is considered one of the most stable cities in the country, which is also battling against violent extremism in the Horn of Africa.

"We arrested the four most notorious men causing trouble in the city last night, and they will be brought to justice," said Governor Abdirahman Abshir.

Over the weekend, the Puntland Security Force (PSF) arrested two Tanzanian nationals who are believed to have survived an airstrike in northern parts of the country. The airstrike was engineered by the US Africa Command.

Those arrested were identified as Imraan Mohamed Alawi and Mabruuk Nasser Saidi, who are from Tanzania. The security forces arrested them 30 km away from the area where the bombing took place, following a tip-off and subsequent pursuit by the PSF.

Puntland has managed to successfully put Al-Shabaab at bay with the help of the Somali army and foreign troops who are responsible for the peacekeeping mission. The region had cut ties with Mogadishu over controversial constitutional changes, some of which have been signed into law by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

GAROWE ONLINE