Defence Minister Fiqi Visits Soldiers Wounded In Gaalkayo Attack

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has visited soldiers wounded in a recent attack on a Somali National Army (SNA) base in Gaalkayo, amid growing tensions over the control of security forces in Puntland.

The soldiers are receiving treatment at Medina Hospital in Mogadishu. Fiqi was briefed by doctors on their condition and directed that they receive all necessary medical care.

The minister praised the soldiers for their previous service with the Puntland Security Force (PSF), where they fought Al-Shabab and Islamic State militants, before joining the national army.

Fiqi said joining the SNA was a right of Somali citizens and should not be seen as an action against Puntland or any other federal member state.

The comments come amid a wider standoff between Mogadishu and Puntland over the deployment and command of federal forces in the region. Puntland has opposed moves by the federal government to strengthen its military presence and command structure there.

The dispute has raised concerns that divisions between federal and regional forces could distract from Somalia’s ongoing fight against Al-Shabab and Islamic State militants.

Fiqi said the SNA’s adversaries were terrorist groups and anyone threatening Somalia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.