Puntland and Jubaland Raise Alarm Over Military Flights Turned Back From Mogadishu

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The administrations of Puntland and Jubaland have issued separate statements detailing incidents involving aircraft carrying security personnel that were prevented from proceeding to Mogadishu on Monday.

In its statement, the Puntland administration said the decision to turn back the aircraft put the lives of presidential security officers and accompanying troops at risk. The personnel were reportedly traveling to Mogadishu as part of preparations for an upcoming national consultative meeting scheduled to take place in the capital.

Puntland noted that both its administration and the Somali Future Council had already agreed to take part in the consultative forum, adding that technical committees from the various sides had been coordinating logistical arrangements ahead of the meeting before the flight disruption occurred.

Separately, Jubaland said an aircraft transporting an advance delegation and close protection officers was ordered to return to Kismayo while still airborne, after being denied clearance at Aden Adde International Airport.According to the Jubaland statement, the flight had prior authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority and relevant security agencies.

The sudden reversal, it said, disrupted preparations and raised concerns over the smooth organization of the planned talks.Despite the incidents, both Puntland and Jubaland reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a lasting political settlement. However, they warned that such developments could undermine confidence and negatively affect the atmosphere needed for constructive dialogue.