Galmudug Administration says Al-shabaab fighters who clashed with puntland did not come from Galmudug areas

Galmudug administration on Thurday dismissed reports saying that Al-­Shabaab fighters who captured Gara’ad town came from Galmudug areas.

The President of Galmudug State, Abdikarim Hussein spoke to the reporters in Adado town and termed the claims baseless.

“It is unfortunate that Puntland puts the blame on everyone but i am sure that theses militants were not from Galmudug areas. We should rather work closely on security matters and jointly deal with these elements,’’ said Guled.

Puntland Security Minister Abdi Hirsi Ali Tuesday said that they have learned the militants who briefly seized Gara’ad , coastal town in Mudug region were from southern Somalia.

He stated that the militants have skipped Hobyo and Xarardhere peacefully before reaching Gara’ad. He said the federal government was intent at forcing Puntland to accept the 4.5 clan based electoral model adopted in January by sponsoring Al­-Shabaab to attack some parts of the state.

“We shall defend Puntland by ourselves and I urge people of Puntland to be ready,” said Ali.

Fierce clashes have continued for third day in the north­eastern State of Puntland, with Puntland troops trying to defeat militants.

Boatloads of armed militants disembarked into several remote coastal villages in Puntland on Monday evening