There is growing concern about public security in Somalia following an incident on Monday, July 15. Reports indicate that two trucks loaded with weapons have fallen into civilian hands in the Abudwaq area of the Galmudug administration.
Sources have stated that the weapons were purchased by groups affiliated with the Somali government. They mentioned that the arms, which included machine guns, anti-aircraft weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades, originated from the town of Laso Anod in the Somali region of Ethiopia.
This comes after lifting a decades-long arms embargo last year, which had been in place since 1991.
Another report from Abudwaq town that an ambush occurred, resulting in at least 10 people being killed and more than 18 others wounded. Several tribal fights have erupted in the Galmudug regions in recent weeks.
The reason for the weapons crossing from Ethiopia is unclear. There is also an ongoing conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia, which is landlocked and seeks access to a port and a military base in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea.
This situation poses a significant challenge for the Mogadishu administration, which already struggles with Al-Shabab, fragile security policies and corruption.
