Thursday January 30, 2025
Garowe (HOL) – Puntland regional state authorities have strongly denied reports by Ethiopian media alleging that three Ethiopian citizens were killed in the towns of Bosaso and Garowe.
In a press release on Thursday, the Puntland Police described the reports as baseless and misleading, urging the public to disregard them.
Police confirmed an incident in Garowe where a group of civilians threw stones at Ethiopian migrants. However, authorities clarified that no serious injuries were reported, and law enforcement quickly intervened, arresting those responsible.
“We warn the public against such acts, and we reiterate our commitment to protecting the safety and security of all citizens, including migrants,” the Puntland Police said in their statement.
The incident coincides with Puntland’s deportation of around 1,000 undocumented Ethiopian nationals from Garowe on Wednesday. The deportees were held for two days before being transported by trucks to the Somali-Ethiopian border.
The crackdown is reportedly driven by security concerns, with authorities linking the removal of undocumented foreigners to fears of foreign nationals joining the Islamic State (ISIS) in Puntland. The regional administration has recently intensified military operations against ISIS strongholds in the Al-Miskaat mountains of the Bari region.
