GAROWE (KAAB TV) – A violent clash between Puntland’s Maritime Police Force (PMPF), loyal to President Said Abdullahi Deni, and military units supporting the opposition has resulted in the death of at least 10 people, while more than 15 others sustained injuries, confirmed local medics.
The confrontation erupted on Tuesday in Garowe, the capital of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland following dispute over constitutional amendments.
The conflict unfolded on the main street and nearby roads close to the Puntland parliament building in Garowe, as pro-opposition military units trained by Ethiopia and Uganda advanced towards the area on Monday night. The UAE-trained PMPF, supporting the region’s leader, took defensive positions in the city center, including residential buildings near the parliament.
#Garowe: Civilians are reporting heavy gun fight in Garowe, the capital of Puntland #Somalia, with videos showing vehicles mounted on anti-aircraft machine guns being used.
Mortar shelling has been reported in residential areas of Halgan neighborhood.
Casualties not known yet. pic.twitter.com/7IORpIepUT
— Kaab Somali TV (@KaabTV) June 20, 2023
Residents began fleeing the affected area on Monday as tensions escalated in what was once a stable city.
Witnesses reported indiscriminate mortar shelling in residential neighborhoods, particularly in the Halgan area and buildings around the main Soddonka road, forcing hundreds to seek refuge elsewhere.
The opposition forces, led by General Jimale Takar, have been opposing what they view as a term extension by the regional leader.
However, Puntland presidential officials stated that they were working on transitioning the region from a clan-based system of selecting government officials to a direct democracy.
This move follows last month’s direct elections in Puntland, where citizens voted for candidates from seven political organizations to represent their local governments.
According to local hospitals treating the injured, many of the victims in Tuesday’s clash were civilians.
Puntland Police Commissioner Muumin Abdi Shire attributed the fighting to the opposition forces, stating that the police officers guarding the parliament building had come under attack.
“Our officers securing the parliament were attacked. We were forced to defend ourselves. It is very unfortunate that this fighting broke out in the capital today,” he said, appealing to locals to remain calm and vigilant.
The police commissioner added that they had successfully repelled the opposition forces, who are currently outside the city center.
General Takar’s men have not commented yet.
Security sources indicate that the opposition fighters have retreated from the city center but may launch further attacks.
As the evening progresses, the confrontation appears to be cooling down, although sporadic gunshots can still be heard in some neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, members of the Puntland Parliament convened today and voted to amend the region’s constitution, paving the way for a full transition to democracy. This amendment allows the current president to remain in office after the expiration of his term in January 2024, a move that the opposition has strongly opposed.
A statement from the Parliament revealed that in today’s session, attended by 35 members, 34 voted in favor of amending the constitution, with only one member remaining silent.