SOMALIA: Puntland blames anti piracy task forces on airstrike in Bari region

By; Abdalle Ahmed

Bosasso (RBC) Officials in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland have blamed the western anti-piracy task forces in Somali coast for the air raid which two local fishermen were wounded on Tuesday in Gumbah district east of Bosasso, RBC Radio reports.

An air raid carried by two war planes wounded two local fishermen in the coastal district of Gumbah, 200km east of the commercial port town of Bosasso.

“The forces claiming that they protect the pirates in the sea have targeted civilians in Gumbah district. This is totally unacceptable.” The director general of the ministry of marine resources, ports and fisheries of Puntland Abdiwahid Mohamed Jo’ar told reporters in Bosasso today.

Asked whether Puntland administration had contacts with the NATO and the European Union anti piracy forces in the Somali coast on Tuesday’s air raid, Mr. Jo’ar said they did nothing.

“They have caused a great fear in the region due to this act; the local fishermen could not go to fish because they fear of to be targeted.” He said.

Mr. Jo’ar said the Puntland administration condemns shelling against civilians in its territory while also not informed any operations in the area.

“We see this action as irresponsibility and intentionally against the international laws.” Mr. Jo’ar added.

The criticism by Puntland official came as local outrage against the western anti piracy mission grows in the region since Tuesday.

There were no comments available from the combined mission of European Union’s anti-piracy military and NATO task force mission operating in the Somali coast.

 

 

RBC Radio