SANAAG (KAAB TV) – Somalia is experiencing a massive influx of illicit weapons, exacerbating deadly inter-clan conflicts with political undertones across the nation.
This escalation in violence comes in the wake of the UN Security Council’s decision in December 2023 to lift the decades-old arms embargo on Somalia.
In the Sanaag region, which is partially contested between Puntland and Somaliland, local militia groups have been displaying newly acquired weaponry, including anti-aircraft guns. This area has recently witnessed a significant increase in violent clashes.
Local sources indicate that many of these weapons may have been smuggled from Yemen, a well-known route for illegal arms trafficking.
The surge in illicit arms has not only fueled ongoing conflicts but also turned into a lucrative business for arms dealers, making the situation even more volatile and dangerous.