“Our intelligence sources have unequivocally confirmed that the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), trained by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to combat terrorist groups and pirates operating in Puntland-State of Somalia, has now joined this malevolent alliance. Disturbingly, they have assumed different camouflage uniforms to obscure their true intentions”. Says by a press release by Somaliland’s Ministry of Defense which today provides an update about the situation in Las Anod City, Capital of Somaliland’s Sool Region.
The press release reads as follows:
“The Somaliland Ministry of Defense is issuing this press release to inform our friends, partners, and the international community about the persistent and distressing situation that our nation has been facing since February of this year. We have been subjected to relentless attacks and ongoing efforts to destabilize our region, perpetrated by a coalition consisting of forces from the Puntland state of Somalia, terrorist groups, militias from Las Anod, and Somalia soldiers trained in Eritrea.
This unholy alliance has brazenly targeted our forces stationed within our borders, as well as various cities, including Las Anod.
Our intelligence sources have unequivocally confirmed that the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), trained by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to combat terrorist groups and pirates operating in the Puntland-State of Somalia, has now joined this malevolent alliance. Disturbingly, they have assumed different camouflage uniforms to obscure their true intentions.
Furthermore, our intelligence sources have discovered that twelve new Land Cruisers were purposefully modified for use in the conflict in Las Anod.
The UAE has long been a development and security partner for Somaliland, and we regret to inform their esteemed government that UAE-funded Puntland-State of Somalia soldiers are now being employed to attack Somaliland.
Furthermore, we are deeply concerned about the participation of Puntland-State of Somalia soldiers, who were trained by the USA to combat terrorism and piracy but are now involved in attacks against Somaliland. It is highly disconcerting to witness soldiers trained by both the UAE and the USA, originally intended to combat the very terrorists and pirates they have now formed an alliance with, fighting alongside these extremist groups against Somaliland.
We want to emphasize to our partners and the international community that Somaliland has diligently fulfilled its obligations and heeded the calls made by the international community.
We have willingly withdrawn our army from the city of Las Anod and accepted the mediation offered by the Ethiopian Government, although regrettably, the militias from Las Anod have declined to accept the mediation. Despite our sincere efforts, we are now facing relentless attacks, resulting in the occupation of the city by terrorist groups and this newly formed alliance.
We want to make it abundantly clear that Somaliland will not hesitate to defend itself and put an end to these hostilities. Given the gravity of the situation, we urge the international community to denounce the actions of this destructive alliance and provide their support to Somaliland in its efforts to restore peace and stability in Las Anod.”