PUNTLAND, Somalia March 16, 2016
Somali’s Puntland government announced new measures in a bid to boost surveillance on the sea following seizure of a large haul of weapons destined for Somalia by Australian Navy.
At a cabinet meeting chaired by Vice President Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar, the cabinet resolved the need to heighten security, improve on the coastline surveillance to deter any threat.
The cabinet meeting was convened to discuss the recently intercepted fishing boat that was loaded with weapons that Somali government said were meant to land into the hands of Al-Shaaab.
The boat was intercepted by Australian Navy some 300 kilometers off Oman coast with array of weapons including 2000 AK-47 assault rifles, 100 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 49 PKM general purpose machine guns, 39 PKM spare barrels and 20 60mm mortar tubes.
The cabinet focused on the seizure of the dhow carrying the Somali-bound haul and dangers emanating from the flow of illegal weapons into Somalia.
The government in this regard ordered security services to remain vigilant citing the dangers posed by the Al Qaeda branch in Somalia.
Somalia will continue collaborating with Australia which is part of multinational efforts to subdue terrorism and piracy off the coast of the horn of Africa nation.
