Galkacyo: The shelling and bombardment of a relative peaceful city

December 1, 2015December 1, 2015

By Ismail Warsame

It could be quite alarming for Puntland State unity, good news for the Federal Government of Somalia, God-sent opportunity for Galmudug, and uncertainty for all concerned.

There is an objective and order in the recent security chaos and the unprovoked violence in the City. The shelling and bombardment of a relative peaceful city have set in motion a chain of reactions that definitely raises the matter on the future of Galkayo, in particular, and Mudug, in general. The multiple, high-level and huge Federal and Regional delegations to the City are certainly quite obvious to the intelligent and cannot mask the objectives of these missions.

The shelling and bombardment of a relative peaceful city of Galkacyo

The City of Galkayo is ear-marked as a target for take-over, whoever its New Owner would be: Galmudug via the Federal Government or Federal Government via UN/AMISOM . Whatever the outcome of these missions, this city will never be the same again. Who is handy there today in these missions? Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Dini, Federal Minister of Interior, Odawaa, The Federal Head of Government, Omar Abdirashid sharma’arke, Sharif Hassan of South-West State of Somalia and Ahmed Madoobe of Jubaland.

Are they all flying in with the sole purpose of restoring law-and-order in Galkayo? Soon it will be obvious to all.

Here is a chain of developments that shook the City to its core within the course of last week:

1. Sunday morning, November 22, 2015, It all started with the City suddenly under attack with heavy bombardment aimed at unsuspecting civilians and properties, resulting massive casualties. Galmudug and Baraxley later explained their attack as opposition to the construction of a road, which was not even planned to pass through Baraxley, their Southern quarter of the city, but via Western quarter of Northern Galkayo, the Garsoor.

2. Massive flight and displacement of panic-stricken residents followed as a result. Businesses, public services, schools came to a standstill. Shortages of food and drinking water came to bite those still remaining in the city.

3. It took a week for Puntland President, Abdiweli Gas, to respond to this unprovoked aggression against the civilian residents of Galkayo, and when he finally did, it was too late. The Galmudug militia got away with the heinous crime against humanity.

4. Suddenly, the conflict attracted an intensive national and international attention, enhanced by a flood of high-level Federal and regional delegations and missions unprecedented in the entire history of Galkayo.

It would be quite fascinating to watch the deliberations and outcome of these missions. I think the fate of Galkayo will be decided during the course of the next few days, weeks and months. But, one thing is sure; the residents of Galkayo are on their own for survival from now on.

Ismail Warsame
Email: ismailwarsame@gmail.com

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025

First, my heart goes out to the victims of this unprovoked attack. It has been clear for a while that Culusow and his ilk were up to no good as far as Mudug was concerned. Abdi Weli’s reticence has partially emboldened them to think about a takeover of the whole city. What the miscreants don’t take into account, however, is that the residents of Galkacyo are much more vigilant now and a repeat of the 1991 genocide would be very hard this time.

Even though his response came as too little, too late, Abdi Weli’s performance has been impressive since yesterday. The lesson we learn from this adventure is that we need to think whether we can share a government or anything else with such people. These people have cognitive challenges and the only thing they understand is violence, violence, violence. I understand Puntland’s predicament when you have such challenged midgets as a neighbor. It is time to rethink the whole notion of sharing a country and a flag with these people. Puntland can’t be perpetually at war with them. The question is how do you dissociate from them?

December 1, 2015 Ahmed Baasto Reply
First, my heart goes out to the victims of this unprovoked attack. It has been clear for a while that Culusow and his ilk were up to no good as far as Mudug was concerned. Abdi Weli’s reticence has partially emboldened them to think about a takeover of the whole city. What the miscreants don’t take into account, however, is that the residents of Galkacyo are much more vigilant now and a repeat of the 1991 genocide would be very hard this time.

Even though his response came as too little, too late, Abdi Weli’s performance has been impressive since yesterday. The lesson we learn from this adventure is that we need to think whether we can share a government or anything else with such people. These people have cognitive challenges and the only thing they understand is violence, violence, violence. I understand Puntland’s predicament when you have such challenged midgets as a neighbor. It is time to rethink the whole notion of sharing a country and a flag with these people. Puntland can’t be perpetually at war with them. The question is how do you dissociate from them?

December 1, 2015 Ahmed Baasto Reply
My sympathy and condolences to all the victims of this mad adventure. It should be thoroughly investigated by the UN and those guilty indicted at the ICC in The Hague. All the evidence points Puntland was a victim to a conspiracy between Galmudug and their supporters.There is no doubt in my mind that unscrupulous Hassan Culusow would stop at nothing to push Somalia to a resumption of the civil war to remain President.

The chicken has come home to roost. This week’s horrendous events at Galkacyo should open the eyes of the people and elite of Puntland of the folly of their attitude and policies of believing they can outsmart everyone, alienate most of Somalia, above all antagonize Khatumo and their natural SSC allies, and still remain on top.

Abdi Welli Gass is a disaster and things could still get worse under him. There is urgent need for much rethinking. Puntland is all alone in a hostile region and has no friends except Jubaland’s wayward leader.

December 1, 2015 Mohsin Reply
My sympathy and condolences to all the victims of this mad adventure. It should be thoroughly investigated by the UN and those guilty indicted at the ICC in The Hague. All the evidence points Puntland was a victim to a conspiracy between Galmudug and their supporters.There is no doubt in my mind that unscrupulous Hassan Culusow would stop at nothing to push Somalia to a resumption of the civil war to remain President.

The chicken has come home to roost. This week’s horrendous events at Galkacyo should open the eyes of the people and elite of Puntland of the folly of their attitude and policies of believing they can outsmart everyone, alienate most of Somalia, above all antagonize Khatumo and their natural SSC allies, and still remain on top.

Abdi Welli Gass is a disaster and things could still get worse under him. There is urgent need for much rethinking. Puntland is all alone in a hostile region and has no friends except Jubaland’s wayward leader.

December 1, 2015 Mohsin Reply
- I am from SSC. I would advise you to exclude Ali Khalif’s name since you mentioned here his project. If Hawiye have a puppet and provocateur in our region, it is Ali. However, I don’t dispute with you about Puntland leaders’ naivete when it comes how they let us, as you mentioned their natural allies, down. That should’t blind us though from the fact that two of our sub clans, who paradoxically lead Khatumo, happen to be the backbone of the occupation and have been ever since it began eight years ago. As I advised you a while ago, we need to get rid of Ali’s fake subversive organization whose very raison d’etre is to prevent the formation of real liberation organization and thereby serve as a decoy. Khatumo was originally intended to serve in lockstep with the interests of SNM and now it has become a very useful tool for Hawiye.
  Puntland will survive and we support them to the fullest, but they need to rethink their policies towards SSC regions and people. They need to realize that Ali Khalif, even though he misled SSC people for a while, is very much unpopular and hated these days in SSC regions.
  
  December 1, 2015 Ahmed Baasto Reply
- I am from SSC. I would advise you to exclude Ali Khalif’s name since you mentioned here his project. If Hawiye have a puppet and provocateur in our region, it is Ali. However, I don’t dispute with you about Puntland leaders’ naivete when it comes how they let us, as you mentioned their natural allies, down. That should’t blind us though from the fact that two of our sub clans, who paradoxically lead Khatumo, happen to be the backbone of the occupation and have been ever since it began eight years ago. As I advised you a while ago, we need to get rid of Ali’s fake subversive organization whose very raison d’etre is to prevent the formation of real liberation organization and thereby serve as a decoy. Khatumo was originally intended to serve in lockstep with the interests of SNM and now it has become a very useful tool for Hawiye.
  Puntland will survive and we support them to the fullest, but they need to rethink their policies towards SSC regions and people. They need to realize that Ali Khalif, even though he misled SSC people for a while, is very much unpopular and hated these days in SSC regions.
  
  December 1, 2015 Ahmed Baasto Reply
  - You seem to be obsessed with Dr Ali Khalif and the two unnamed clans you accuse of collaborating with Khatumo’s enemies. Starting with Aki, whatever shortcomings he might have, and no one is perfect, he made all the same personal sacrifices to lead Khatumo and has been its greatest advocate within Somalia and outside. Admittedly, little success has been achieved on the liberation front for lack of funding and also because Ali’s worst enemies are not so moch SL and PL but groups among the SSC people blinded by sub-clan antipathesies who would rather see Khatumo fail in order to see Ali fails.
    
    As for your two clan bogies, this is a cheap escapist accusation to shift our collective failures conveniently on some clans. The fact of the matter is that we have collaborators with SL and PL from every SSC clan. No point in throwing stones at others when we all live in glass houses.
    
    December 1, 2015 Mohsin Reply
    - Baasto does not know Khalif is a criminal who after looting the country escaped to the west and he is trying to blind young Somalis who do not know his previous life. Khalif cares only his bank account, he is a professional turn-coat, he never helped his country when he was young and in a position to do the things he is preaching now and I don’t think he is of any use to his people and nation now.
      
      December 2, 2015 Dhacarbe Abdul Reply
      - Waxaan u malaynayaa reading comprehension problems baa ku haya’e dib u akhri waxaan qoray bal inaan ninka aad sheegayso i amaanay iyo in kale.
        
        December 2, 2015 Ahmed Baasto
      - Waxaan u malaynayaa reading comprehension problems baa ku haya’e dib u akhri waxaan qoray bal inaan ninka aad sheegayso i amaanay iyo in kale.
        
        December 2, 2015 Ahmed Baasto
    - Baasto does not know Khalif is a criminal who after looting the country escaped to the west and he is trying to blind young Somalis who do not know his previous life. Khalif cares only his bank account, he is a professional turn-coat, he never helped his country when he was young and in a position to do the things he is preaching now and I don’t think he is of any use to his people and nation now.
      
      December 2, 2015 Dhacarbe Abdul Reply
  - You seem to be obsessed with Dr Ali Khalif and the two unnamed clans you accuse of collaborating with Khatumo’s enemies. Starting with Aki, whatever shortcomings he might have, and no one is perfect, he made all the same personal sacrifices to lead Khatumo and has been its greatest advocate within Somalia and outside. Admittedly, little success has been achieved on the liberation front for lack of funding and also because Ali’s worst enemies are not so moch SL and PL but groups among the SSC people blinded by sub-clan antipathesies who would rather see Khatumo fail in order to see Ali fails.
    
    As for your two clan bogies, this is a cheap escapist accusation to shift our collective failures conveniently on some clans. The fact of the matter is that we have collaborators with SL and PL from every SSC clan. No point in throwing stones at others when we all live in glass houses.
    
    December 1, 2015 Mohsin Reply
  - If I were, I would spend my blood and toil to liberate my hometown and restore dignity to the good people of Dhulbahante, but I see you are one sycophant who have made a career in licking the boots of Majeerteen. So, good luck as you don’t deserve any respect from both your Harti brethren and neighbors in Isaaq. Puntland will use you as long as you allow it, because of your disunity and naivete towards Puntland. Apparently, you hate Hawiye only because Majerteen are telling you so. That is a classic case of bootlicking for those who have misled you to point that you can distinguish your enemy from your friends. Waryaa, Hawiye are not your enemy in the same way that Raxanweyn is not the enemy of Isaaq because they don’t share a common posture for their camels. In other words, Geelooda islama daaqo.
    
    Laakiin, I can understand your ideological hatred towards us, which will definitely give more opportunities to your beloved masters in Majeerteen. And trust me, I respect them for doing what they are so good at in confusing you further which will add on to your misery as a community in SSC.
    
    Marka, dhib maleh, iska sabra, xaqu mar buu dilaaci doonaa, adinkuna xornimo ku waaberiisan doontaan, inshallah.
    
    December 6, 2015 Kaarshe Sugaal Reply
  - If I were, I would spend my blood and toil to liberate my hometown and restore dignity to the good people of Dhulbahante, but I see you are one sycophant who have made a career in licking the boots of Majeerteen. So, good luck as you don’t deserve any respect from both your Harti brethren and neighbors in Isaaq. Puntland will use you as long as you allow it, because of your disunity and naivete towards Puntland. Apparently, you hate Hawiye only because Majerteen are telling you so. That is a classic case of bootlicking for those who have misled you to point that you can distinguish your enemy from your friends. Waryaa, Hawiye are not your enemy in the same way that Raxanweyn is not the enemy of Isaaq because they don’t share a common posture for their camels. In other words, Geelooda islama daaqo.
    
    Laakiin, I can understand your ideological hatred towards us, which will definitely give more opportunities to your beloved masters in Majeerteen. And trust me, I respect them for doing what they are so good at in confusing you further which will add on to your misery as a community in SSC.
    
    Marka, dhib maleh, iska sabra, xaqu mar buu dilaaci doonaa, adinkuna xornimo ku waaberiisan doontaan, inshallah.
    
    December 6, 2015 Kaarshe Sugaal Reply
- My heartfelt condolences to all Somali civilians under this senseless and barbaric act…!
  @Mohsin
  I agree with you in your second paragraph and your statement about the so-called Somali president Mr. Culusow who at this stage in his political adventure will do anything to run in 2016.
  
  December 2, 2015 Dhacarbe Abdul Reply
- My heartfelt condolences to all Somali civilians under this senseless and barbaric act…!
  @Mohsin
  I agree with you in your second paragraph and your statement about the so-called Somali president Mr. Culusow who at this stage in his political adventure will do anything to run in 2016.
  
  December 2, 2015 Dhacarbe Abdul Reply
Waxaan maqli jiray Carab intey ku nabto ayey nabiga kaaga hormartaa. Puntland has got away with lots of provocations, including the last attempt to expand its enclave into Galmudug, which met with resistance from the local community in south Gaalkacyo. Now, that it lost the war front, will it use its Amxaaro allies to do the fighting, or it will regroup for another cycle of war. Either way, residents of Galmudug have nothing to lose and they will continue to fight until the psychotic warlord of Puntland comes to his senses. And for Wardheernews to publish this nonsense clannish article reinforces the rumors out there as clan news portal that pushes Puntland agenda, which renders the below disclaimer useless.

December 1, 2015 Kaarshe Sugaal Reply
- Waa adiga guusha beenta ah ku tookhaya’e, ila daawo fiidiyawgan.
  https://youtu.be/RCneyyapNes
  
  December 1, 2015 Ahmed Baasto Reply
  - Waryaa doqon baa tahay, sababtoo ah hadii la dagaalamo libintu qof bey raacdaa, and in this case, you lost everything in this senseless war that you started with your blinding hubris and boastful girlish tendency. Marka, booto lama rabee, armeey dan kuu tahay inaad nabadda qaadato, oo aad iska deyso dulmiga iyo dhabarjeedinta markii la is fara-saaro.
    
    We know each other, but I am the better one because I don’t enjoy the humiliation of my neighbors – and that is what defines us as a community in Galkacyo.
    
    Maxamed Siyaad Barre markuu xukunka heystay, oo aad adinku mahabarka aheydeen, wuxuu iskugu yeeray beesha Gaalkacyo degta, oo yiri nimankaas qoladaas mahabarka ah iska dhiciya oo waa idiin xalaal xoolahooda. Jawaabtii beesha waxay noqotay, sidii lagu yaqiin dad gob ah, “annagu duulaan kuma nihin dad dariskeenna ah, wax ay inoo dhibeenna ma jirto, diin iyo daw kale oo xalaal nooga dhigaayo maalkoodana ma jirto.”
    
    Marka sxb, reer tolkaa waxay abaal marin uga dhigeen dadkii sidaas ula dhaqmay in markii ay SSDF kasoo laabteen in Gaalkacyo laga kiciyo, oo raggooda la dilo, odayaashoodana berkado lagu guro inta la laayo. Taasna jawaabteeda waad hesheen, oo waxaa ka danbeeyay dagaalkii aad u bixiseen haaf qiyaame, oo reer baragiinna u bixiyay “Boowe Ma Durba.”
    
    Adeer, waannu is garaneynaa, hadiidnaan kibirka joojin, wallee wiil iyo xoolo badan waad waayi doontaan, cuqdad badanna waad guntan doontaan, ee yaa idin yiraahda meel fariista, oo sadbursiga siyaasadda oo aad u barateen kaliyah wax ku gooba, koleey dagaal tabar ayaa idiin diiday inaad libin ku keentaan’e.
    
    Waxaan aad uga xumahay dhalinyarada uu soo qalday Cabdi Waalane GAAS, oo qabrigooda uu Gaalkacyo ka dhigay, waxay u dhinteen maahan dan Majeerteen, waa qabyaalad iyo isir-naceyb ka buuxa oo uu is yiri majeerteen ayaad ku mideyn kartaa. War koleey in idin dhibtaa hoostiina waa taalaaye, ninkaas iska qabta, dariskana sharaf kula noolaada, cid Gaalkacyo idinkaga guuri doonta ma jirto, mana jiri doonto, xitaa hadaad soo kireysataan Gaashaan Buurta Naato.
    
    December 6, 2015 Kaarshe Sugaal Reply
  - Waryaa doqon baa tahay, sababtoo ah hadii la dagaalamo libintu qof bey raacdaa, and in this case, you lost everything in this senseless war that you started with your blinding hubris and boastful girlish tendency. Marka, booto lama rabee, armeey dan kuu tahay inaad nabadda qaadato, oo aad iska deyso dulmiga iyo dhabarjeedinta markii la is fara-saaro.
    
    We know each other, but I am the better one because I don’t enjoy the humiliation of my neighbors – and that is what defines us as a community in Galkacyo.
    
    Maxamed Siyaad Barre markuu xukunka heystay, oo aad adinku mahabarka aheydeen, wuxuu iskugu yeeray beesha Gaalkacyo degta, oo yiri nimankaas qoladaas mahabarka ah iska dhiciya oo waa idiin xalaal xoolahooda. Jawaabtii beesha waxay noqotay, sidii lagu yaqiin dad gob ah, “annagu duulaan kuma nihin dad dariskeenna ah, wax ay inoo dhibeenna ma jirto, diin iyo daw kale oo xalaal nooga dhigaayo maalkoodana ma jirto.”
    
    Marka sxb, reer tolkaa waxay abaal marin uga dhigeen dadkii sidaas ula dhaqmay in markii ay SSDF kasoo laabteen in Gaalkacyo laga kiciyo, oo raggooda la dilo, odayaashoodana berkado lagu guro inta la laayo. Taasna jawaabteeda waad hesheen, oo waxaa ka danbeeyay dagaalkii aad u bixiseen haaf qiyaame, oo reer baragiinna u bixiyay “Boowe Ma Durba.”
    
    Adeer, waannu is garaneynaa, hadiidnaan kibirka joojin, wallee wiil iyo xoolo badan waad waayi doontaan, cuqdad badanna waad guntan doontaan, ee yaa idin yiraahda meel fariista, oo sadbursiga siyaasadda oo aad u barateen kaliyah wax ku gooba, koleey dagaal tabar ayaa idiin diiday inaad libin ku keentaan’e.
    
    Waxaan aad uga xumahay dhalinyarada uu soo qalday Cabdi Waalane GAAS, oo qabrigooda uu Gaalkacyo ka dhigay, waxay u dhinteen maahan dan Majeerteen, waa qabyaalad iyo isir-naceyb ka buuxa oo uu is yiri majeerteen ayaad ku mideyn kartaa. War koleey in idin dhibtaa hoostiina waa taalaaye, ninkaas iska qabta, dariskana sharaf kula noolaada, cid Gaalkacyo idinkaga guuri doonta ma jirto, mana jiri doonto, xitaa hadaad soo kireysataan Gaashaan Buurta Naato.
    
    December 6, 2015 Kaarshe Sugaal Reply
- Waa adiga guusha beenta ah ku tookhaya’e, ila daawo fiidiyawgan.
  https://youtu.be/RCneyyapNes
  
  December 1, 2015 Ahmed Baasto Reply
Waxaan maqli jiray Carab intey ku nabto ayey nabiga kaaga hormartaa. Puntland has got away with lots of provocations, including the last attempt to expand its enclave into Galmudug, which met with resistance from the local community in south Gaalkacyo. Now, that it lost the war front, will it use its Amxaaro allies to do the fighting, or it will regroup for another cycle of war. Either way, residents of Galmudug have nothing to lose and they will continue to fight until the psychotic warlord of Puntland comes to his senses. And for Wardheernews to publish this nonsense clannish article reinforces the rumors out there as clan news portal that pushes Puntland agenda, which renders the below disclaimer useless.

December 1, 2015 Kaarshe Sugaal Reply
Shame on those who have no feeling of remorse for the victims of those barbaric crimes in Galkayo against innocent civilians of mostly children to schools and their mothers out in the markets to shop for milk and bread for kids after school hours. Equally mindless and disgraceful is the accusation aimed at WardheerNews, while at the same time ignoring the opportunity the Website gives them to air their own unjustifiable complaints and liable allegations. This low-level personal behaviour is typical and represents what is wrong in our society lately.

December 1, 2015 Ismail Warsame Reply
- My heartfelt condolences to all Somali civilians under this senseless and barbaric act…!
  Mr. Ismael and alikes have selective memory and chose to forget when SSDF use to do similar things to Somali nomads, villages and entire districts in early 80s, Remember Galdogob and Balanbale when they destroyed guiding Derg military to invade the nation..! And Abdirisaq H. Hussein commented on BBC that it is just to massacre Somali civilians because they were from another clan..!
  I sense from your writing that you feel the pain of the Somali people only when they are from your clan, you gotta have the conscience, feeling , and be just no matter when, where and who is under inhumane circumstances…!
  
  December 2, 2015 Dhacarbe Abdul Reply
  - One is always free to enjoy the world of fallacies . Critical thinking and researching for facts require extra efforts and could be boring to some.
    
    December 3, 2015 Ismail Warsame Reply
    - Critical thinking after the fact and changing masks when one sees the disease from the poisonous fruits they fed the masses is crocodile tears.
      
      December 3, 2015 Dhacarbe Abdul Reply
      - They plot on the pain of others, but when the real pain strikes them, they are quick to show their true colors of cowardly and whining to the international community. Gabdho maxaad ku taqaan adiga? lol
        
        December 6, 2015 Kaarshe Sugaal
      - They plot on the pain of others, but when the real pain strikes them, they are quick to show their true colors of cowardly and whining to the international community. Gabdho maxaad ku taqaan adiga? lol
        
        December 6, 2015 Kaarshe Sugaal
    - Critical thinking after the fact and changing masks when one sees the disease from the poisonous fruits they fed the masses is crocodile tears.
      
      December 3, 2015 Dhacarbe Abdul Reply
  - One is always free to enjoy the world of fallacies . Critical thinking and researching for facts require extra efforts and could be boring to some.
    
    December 3, 2015 Ismail Warsame Reply
- My heartfelt condolences to all Somali civilians under this senseless and barbaric act…!
  Mr. Ismael and alikes have selective memory and chose to forget when SSDF use to do similar things to Somali nomads, villages and entire districts in early 80s, Remember Galdogob and Balanbale when they destroyed guiding Derg military to invade the nation..! And Abdirisaq H. Hussein commented on BBC that it is just to massacre Somali civilians because they were from another clan..!
  I sense from your writing that you feel the pain of the Somali people only when they are from your clan, you gotta have the conscience, feeling , and be just no matter when, where and who is under inhumane circumstances…!
  
  December 2, 2015 Dhacarbe Abdul Reply
Shame on those who have no feeling of remorse for the victims of those barbaric crimes in Galkayo against innocent civilians of mostly children to schools and their mothers out in the markets to shop for milk and bread for kids after school hours. Equally mindless and disgraceful is the accusation aimed at WardheerNews, while at the same time ignoring the opportunity the Website gives them to air their own unjustifiable complaints and liable allegations. This low-level personal behaviour is typical and represents what is wrong in our society lately.

December 1, 2015 Ismail Warsame Reply

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