PRESS RELEASE
22 April 2013

During the past months criminal attacks planned and carried out in Puntland jurisdiction by residents of Galmudug have been increasing.

On April 22 Monday morning, antiaircraft launched from Galmudug in southern Galkayo, targeted a plane attempting to land at Galkayo Airport. Following that incident, three mortars were launched towards north Galkayo hitting residential and public areas, by the grace of God no one was injured in the mortar attack.

Today’s attack follows Sunday’s shooting of armed residents of Galmudug who were stopped at a checkpoint and attempted to forcefully enter the airport. The armed men failed to listen to orders to put down their weapons and subsequently one of them was shot and killed by airport security.

Puntland Police have recorded 6 kidnappings and car hijackings in the past 6 months and several targeted killings stemming from south Galkayo. Respectively on November 5th 2012 Abdiqadir Abdirahman Sheikh Nuur was carjacked and killed by residents of Galmudug in Dagaari village. Only two weeks after that on November 19th 2012 armed men from Galmudug kidnapped 7 men who were travelling in a vehicle from Galkayo towards Galdogob district of Puntland. On February 8 2013, armed men from Galmudug kidnapped and then later killed Abdinasir Sheikh Ahmed 15 KMs south of Galkayo. On February 15th 2013, 4 men were killed in the outskirts of Galkayo by individuals from Galmudug.

Despite the lack of action by the Galmudug leaders to prevent or act on individuals who are carrying out these acts, Puntland has not ceased to cooperate with Galmudug. Last week, a vehicle stolen by Puntland residents from Galmudug citizens was returned safely to its owners; also a man related to kidnappers from Galmudug who was being held hostage by the family of kidnapped Puntland residents, was freed and returned to his home after the intervention of Puntland authorities.

The increase in criminality from the Galmudug jurisdiction has hampered efforts to improve security throughout the region of Mudug.

The Puntland government urges government officials, traditional elders and community leaders in Galmudug to help put a stop to the violence and criminal acts being carried out by their residents.

The Puntland government will always vow to protect their citizens from any group threatening Puntland’s sovereignty, security and existence.

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