Somali government alleges that the firearms were smuggled from Ethiopia. Other sources say the Somali government purchased them from the Ethiopian government.
borkena
Toronto – Two trucks of firearms believed to have originated from Ethiopia were reportedly looted by militia forces in Galmudug State, Somalia.
Conflicting narratives surround the incident. One narrative paints a picture that the firearms were sold to the Somali government, a claim that seems unlikely given the tense relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. The Somali government, however, officially alleges that the firearms were illegally smuggled from Ethiopia. Somali National Intelligence Agency (NISA) forces reportedly were transporting the firearms to Mogadishu when they were intercepted and looted by militia forces in Galmudug State.
During the clash, the militias opened fire on the deputy intelligence chief of Galmudug State, Bashi Abdulahi, and other intelligence agency members. Ten NISA members, including a senior officer, were reportedly killed, though local Somali news sources put the death toll at 20. Halqabs News reported, “A deadly clash between local clan militia and an armed convoy in the Abudwaq town of Galmudug has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people and the looting of a massive arsenal of weapons believed to have been smuggled from Ethiopia.”
The militias, reportedly from the Abudwaq clan, intercepted the weapons after a clash with NISA agents. BBC Amharic cited an informant stating, “There is information that the firearms originated from the Somali region of Ethiopia, but it was not confirmed.”
Kulmiye Radio, which broadcasts to the region, reported that the trucks contained AK-47s, handguns, and RPG rocket launchers purchased from Ethiopia. However, there has been no comment from the Ethiopian government.
Horn Observer detailed the firearms seized by local militias: “150 to 200 DsSHK heavy machine guns, 500 PK general-purpose machine guns, 200 to 260 M16 sniper rifles, over 2,200 AK-47 rifles, more than 800 pistols with silencers, and a large quantity of ammunition. As a result, the price of guns fell dramatically on Tuesday, with AK-47s selling for as low as USD 100 in black markets.”
The government of Somaliland has expressed concern about the proliferation of firearms in Somalia.
The AK-47 assault rifle is reportedly selling for a quarter of the price in Mogadishu following the looting, according to a BBC Amharic report.
__
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter ) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
This is the latest proof that Greater Somalia is now the most peaceful and stable country not only in Africa but in the entire world. Why not? The main and only nemesis to humanity, Oromos and Amharas, are now eradicated from the face of the earth thanks to the combined forces of Greater Somalia, Piccolo Roma, Al-Qahirah and Ankara. Remember soldiers of Greater Somalia and Al-Qahirah are all Arabs, those from Piccolo Roma are lilies white from Abruzzo and Calabria and those from Ankara are of course Aryans. Hey, don’t yell at me for saying this. That is what Af-Mishaar, the only expert in foreign policy for the Horn of Africa told me. Don’t kill the messenger here.