Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland today disarmed militias who were creating insecurity in Qardo, Baran and the outskirts of Garowe town, according to Puntland officials.
“We want to ensure the security of our region and eradicate militias who are carrying guns illegally,” said Puntland Minister of Internal Affairs Abdullahi Ahmed Jama (Ilkajir).
The minister added that Puntland will not allow clan militias to have weapons illegally; in this case, AK-47s and pistols.
The disarmament came after the two clans of Ali Jibrael and Mohamud sought revenge on one another over organized killings in recent days.
“Last week five businessmen were deliberately killed out of revenge between the clan militias in Qardo town and five others were wounded," explained the minister.
The businessmen, Mohamed Moahud Bile, Rage Sirqo, Mohamed Gurey, Mohamed Dhalawas and Boolo Shire Hirad were allegedly the victims of clan clashes.
Nabadon Liban Farah Hassan, a local resident, told Somalia Report they want the conflict between the two clans to end soon.
“We don’t want our clans or our region to become like southern Somalia where there are so many problems," he said referring to the al-Shabaab militia struggling to take control of Somalia.
He has also emphasized that peace is important to all the clans in Puntland and encouraged everyone to make peace unconditionally.
7 Dead in Clan Clashes in Mudug
Meanwhile, seven people were killed during a fierce gun battle between two clash over water wells and grasslands in area of Ba’adweyne area of southern Mudug region.
“Residents in Ba’adweyn told us seven people died. Tomorrow we will give the media full details,“ Ahmed Guure, the governor of Southern Mudug region, told Somalia Report by phone.