Somali minister accuses Puntland State forces of using excessive force in Badhan
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s trade minister, Jamal Mohamed Hassan, has accused Puntland State security forces of firing on civilians in Badhan, in the Sanaag region, during unrest tied to a planned visit by Puntland State President Said Abdullahi...
Sunday April 26, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s trade minister, Jamal Mohamed Hassan, has accused Puntland State security forces of firing on civilians in Badhan, in the Sanaag region, during unrest tied to a planned visit by Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni.
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In a statement, Jamal denounced what he called “unacceptable” violence, saying troops used live ammunition against residents who had opposed Deni’s trip to the town earlier this week. No deaths or injuries have been officially confirmed.
“The act of violence and aggression committed against the people of Badhan town, using live ammunition, is unacceptable,” the minister said.
He also alleged that women from the family of a local traditional leader, identified as Chief Omar Abdullahi, were mistreated during the incident, though those claims could not be independently verified.
Jamal said the episode was part of a broader pattern of abuses by Puntland State authorities in Sanaag, citing a separate incident in Dhahar district in July 2025 in which civilians were reportedly killed.
“These repeated violations cannot be ignored. They require serious accountability,” he said, adding that those responsible would be held to account.
The Puntland State administration has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Tensions have periodically risen across parts of Sanaag, a disputed region claimed by Puntland State, North Eastern State and North Western State of Somalia, complicating security and governance on the ground.