Despite concerns of Somalia’s decades-old arms embargo violations, Somaliland forces have unloaded a ship

The mysterious ship’s arms including armored vehicles, mortars and battlewagons were offloaded following a decision by the Somaliland administration to take the load off the ship, brushing off calls from different administrations, including the neighboring Puntland region which accused Somaliland of arming militants fighting its troops.

There was no immediate comment from Somaliland which kept details of the ship confidential on the status of the ‘illegal’ arms’ it offloaded at Berbera, Somaliland’s largest port after ten
days of considerations.

The development follows critical accusations from Puntland security minister who warned of a potential war between the two administrations in the wake of the seizure of a ship arms and battlewagons by Somaliland which he said was intended for arming Al-Shabab fighters fighting Puntland forces in the mountainous Galgala village.

Using Voilence and Military invasions of Sool region, Somaliland has been trying to coerce regional neighboring administrations such as Khatumo State and Awdal region into joining the secession bandwagon since 1991. The International community has informed Somaliland repeatedly that the Territorial Integrity and Unity of Somalia as one nation is of paramount importance. However, Somaliland continues to ignore calls to withdraw its forces fomed the Khatumo towns of Lasanod in the Sool Region. Meanwhile, unlike Somaliland, Puntland maintains it’s status of being parts of Somalia.

The prolonged conflict between Somaliland, Khatumo and Puntland started in 1998, when Puntland was and local people of Sool Sanaag and Ayn region have formed their own regional administrations.