Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s federal government says it is aware of military operations and shelling reported off Puntland State’s coast, as regional authorities seek answers over attacks they say endangered fishermen and damaged civilian property.
Speaking briefly to reporters in Mogadishu on Saturday, State Minister of Defense Omar Ali Abdi said the federal government is the lawful authority responsible for approving any military action against pirate groups operating off Somalia’s coast.
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The state minister said the government was compiling a comprehensive report on the coastal incidents and would take steps to address the worsening situation.
“A comprehensive report will be sent,” Omar Ali Abdi said.
His remarks came hours after Puntland State’s regional administration called for an explanation of shelling carried out by unidentified international warships off its coast on Aug. 18 and 20. Puntland State said the attacks struck fishermen and caused damage to civilian property.
In a statement released Saturday, Puntland State’s Ministry of Security and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) warned of the possible consequences of military operations in the Garmaal area, near coastal sites where pirate-held vessels are reportedly being kept.
The ministry said the shelling risked weakening cooperation between Puntland State security agencies and international partners working to counter piracy. It also cautioned that civilians with no connection to piracy could be caught in the operations.
The latest dispute follows the Thursday burial of four suspected Somali pirates in Garmaal, a coastal area of Puntland State’s Nugaal region, after a reported Turkish strike.
The men were reportedly killed when a strike hit a small boat carrying people allegedly linked to the hijacking of a commercial vessel.
Relatives of the dead accused Turkey of carrying out the attack, but Turkish authorities had not publicly commented on the reported operation.
