Rising Tensions in Bookh District
The district of Bookh, located in the Doolo region of the Somali region in Ethiopia, a tense situation has developed last night and continue to grow and that could lead to a military confrontation between Puntland forces and armed clan militias.
These militias are currently blocking three vehicles carrying weapons, ammunition, and military supplies destined for Puntland President H.E. Said Abdullahi Deni, according to reliable sources. Earlier this afternoon, Ethiopia’s New Police forces brought these vehicles, which were loaded with supplies for President Deni, to Bookh. However, the vehicles were intercepted by armed youth who had prior knowledge of their arrival.
The militia prevented the vehicles from being stored in a military camp within Bookh, while reinforcements from Garowe are en route to escort the convoy. As of now, nine vehicles from the New Police forces have arrived in Bookh to ensure the safe handover of the vehicles and weapons to Puntland forces.
Meanwhile, Puntland forces have been redirected to the Gabbara area in the Mudug region, on the border between Ethiopia and Somalia, to avoid clashes with local clan militias who are reportedly seeking to loot the weapons and supplies, similar to an incident in Caabudwaaq months ago. The three vehicles remain in dispute, as armed militias are positioned on every route leading into Bookh, blocking their movement.
