Puntland militia ‘opens fire on civilians’ in Dhahar

[KingBlack]

Puntland militia have opened fire and destroyed several properties in the Somaliland eastern town of Dhahar on Tuesday, reportedly killing two civilians.

According to eyewitnesses the militia shelled randomly one of the local restaurants after entering the town with two pick-up trucks carrying 40 heavily armed men.

The fired volleys of machine-gun bullets hit two men, a young student and an adult who were having tea at the time in the restaurant. Other people have fled in fear and confusion according to local accounts. They reportedly under the direct orders of Mr. Ali Dahir Ahmed Salah.

The militia left the lifeless body of Hassan Ismail while they took Ibrahim Mohamed Farah, who died short time later in their custody.

Following the incident tension remains high and elders of the local Warsangeli clan have called for calm. Both victims were from the Warsangeli and the elders pointed their fingers at the Puntland deputy security minister, Abdijamal Mohamed Osman, a Warsangeli himself, for instigating the violence. They said ever since his appointment he has been causing them bloodshed.

Somaliland authority is yet to respond to the incursion by Puntland militia into the disputed eastern Sanaag region.