Two Trucks of Ethiopian Firearms Allegedly Smuggled into Central Somalia, Fuel Deadly Clashes
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Somali government alleges that the firearms were smuggled from Ethiopia. Other sources say the Somali government purchased them from the Ethiopian government.
Among the Ethiopian firearms looted by militia in central Somalia (Photo credit : Horn Observer)
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.
Source: borkena.com
