Garowe, PUNTLAND – The Somali Digest has obtained an exclusive intelligence report detailing a daring operation conducted by the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) Bosaso unit on the evening of May 7, 2024. The report, provided by intelligence sources, reveals a fierce firefight between the PMPF Bosaso Force and armed forces protecting weapons smugglers along the eastern coastal region of Bosaso beach. The incident, which began at 20:14 near the Leather and Textile Factory, exposes the alarming collaboration between Yemeni militias and the Puntland Security Force (PSF) in the illicit arms trade. According to the intelligence report, this PMPF Bosaso operation marks the fourth arms-related incident at the PSF camp in the past year, highlighting the urgent need for action to combat the growing threat of weapons smuggling in the region.
Intelligence and Enemy Identification
The intelligence report provides crucial details about the events leading up to the PMPF Bosaso operation. According to the report, the operation was initiated based on intelligence provided by Colonel Abdi Qadir Jamac Dirir, the commander of the eastern region. At approximately 19:23, Colonel Dirir relayed information to PMPF Bosaso patrol officers Toranyo and Mustafe Golhaye about the presence of weapons smugglers and their armed protection along the beach road.
The intelligence identified four vehicles in the vicinity: one lorry, two Toyota Probox vehicles, and one Toyota Kluger. These vehicles were guarded by armed forces, who were providing protection to the weapons smugglers. The report further reveals that the weapons were owned by Abdi Ali, a member of the PSF, and that a PSF soldier had been deployed to receive the smuggled arms.
This information, as disclosed in the intelligence report shared with The Somali Digest, underscores the disturbing trend of collaboration between Yemeni militias and elements within the PSF in the illicit weapons trade. The PMPF Bosaso operation aimed to disrupt this dangerous alliance and seize the smuggled arms before they could be delivered to their intended recipients.
The Firefight and Mission Execution
The intelligence report provides a detailed account of the firefight that ensued when the PMPF Bosaso Force arrived at the location at 20:14. As soon as they approached the smugglers and their armed protection, the situation escalated. The Gulugeer vehicle, likely belonging to the armed forces guarding the smugglers, initiated fire, followed by shots from the Probox vehicles and the armed forces themselves.
According to the report, the resulting firefight was intense, lasting for a full 23 minutes as the PMPF Bosaso Force engaged the armed forces and the smugglers. During the exchange of fire, Officer Mustafe Goolhaye, who was leading the operation, sustained injuries. Despite this setback, the PMPF Bosaso Force continued to press their attack, determined to seize the smuggled weapons and disrupt the illicit arms trade.
However, the intelligence report reveals that the weapons smugglers and their armed protection proved to be well-prepared and highly motivated. As the firefight continued, the smugglers and their vehicles managed to flee to the nearby PSF camp, seeking refuge and reinforcements. From within the camp, they continued to fire upon the pursuing PMPF Bosaso Force, effectively using the PSF base as a staging ground for their resistance.
Faced with mounting opposition and the need to evacuate their injured leader, the intelligence report indicates that the PMPF Bosaso Force made the difficult decision to strategically retreat. Officer Goolhaye was rushed to the hospital for treatment, while the remaining members of the force withdrew to regroup and assess the situation.
Implications and the Bigger Picture
The intelligence report paints a disturbing picture of the collaboration between Yemeni militias and elements within the PSF in the illicit arms trade. Despite the best efforts of the PMPF Bosaso Force, the weapons and vehicles involved in the smuggling operation managed to enter the PSF camp, further solidifying the link between these two entities.
According to the report, this incident marks the fourth time in the past year that the PSF camp has been implicated in arms-related incidents. The frequency and scale of these incidents suggest that the collaboration between Yemeni militias and the PSF is not an isolated occurrence but rather a sustained and organized effort to smuggle weapons into the region.
The implications of this collaboration, as highlighted in the intelligence report shared with The Somali Digest, are dire. The influx of illicit arms into Puntland not only fuels instability and violence but also empowers terrorist groups and criminal organizations that seek to undermine the rule of law and destabilize the region. The fact that elements within the PSF, an entity entrusted with maintaining security and order, are actively participating in this trade is deeply troubling and underscores the need for urgent action.
The Way Forward
This serves as a wake-up call for the urgent need to address the problem of weapons smuggling and the collaboration between Yemeni militias and elements within the PSF. The report underscores the critical role that the PMPF plays in combating this threat and the challenges they face in doing so.
To effectively address this issue, a multi-faceted approach is needed. As indicated in the intelligence report, this must include increased intelligence gathering and sharing among security forces, as well as enhanced training and equipment for units like the PMPF Bosaso Force to enable them to more effectively confront and disrupt smuggling operations.
Furthermore, there must be a concerted effort to investigate and root out corrupt elements within the PSF and other security forces who are facilitating or participating in the illicit arms trade, as suggested by the intelligence sources who shared this report with The Somali Digest. This will require strong leadership, political will, and a commitment to transparency and accountability at all levels of government.
The international community also has a role to play in supporting these efforts. Through targeted assistance, capacity building, and diplomatic pressure, international partners can help to strengthen the ability of Puntland’s security forces to combat weapons smuggling and promote stability in the region.
