(16-07-24) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) – A deadly clash between local clan militia and an armed convoy in the Abudwaq town of Galmudug has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people and the looting of a massive arsenal of weapons believed to have been smuggled from Ethiopia. The incident has raised grave concerns about the escalating violence and the potential impact on the upcoming Galmudug elections.
The intercepted convoy consisted of two cargo lorries carrying an astonishing array of weaponry, including 2,200 AK-47 assault rifles, 260 American-made M16 sniper rifles, 800 handguns, 350 Norinco Model NDM-86 Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle with Scope, and 200 Dshk heavy machine guns. The second lorry was packed with ammunition and bulletproof vests. Following the firefight, the weapons were looted by civilians, with videos circulating on social media showing jubilant locals brandishing the high-powered firearms.
This unprecedented seizure and subsequent looting highlight the persistent issue of illicit arms trafficking across the porous border between Somalia and Ethiopia, as well as the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining control in the volatile region. A local security official, speaking anonymously, expressed shock at the scale and sophistication of the weaponry, stating, “The fact that these weapons are now in the hands of untrained civilians is a nightmare scenario.”
Eyewitnesses who spoke to Halqabsi News stated that AK-47 assault rifles are now being sold for as low as $47 USD and handguns for $100 USD in the aftermath of the weapons looting.
While the origin and intended destination of the weapons remain unclear, the incident has sparked a political firestorm. Abdisalam Guled, former Deputy Director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), has suggested a potential link between a former NISA officer, now a federal parliamentarian, and the Ethiopian military command. Guled claims the weapons, valued at $3-4 million USD, were purchased by this individual on behalf of the Somali Federal Government, an accusation the government vehemently denies.
The Galmudug authorities have deployed forces to the area in an attempt to restore order and recover the looted weapons, but the situation remains tense. The proliferation of such a vast quantity of arms in the hands of civilians has fueled fears of escalating clan conflicts, revenge attacks, and widespread violence in the lead-up to the regional elections.
Halqabsi News
