Somalia’s Federal government on Friday sent consignment of weapons and ammunition to autonomous state of Puntland to help in the fight against al-Shabaab militants
Two cargo planes ferried the military aid from Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International airport to the capital of Puntland, Garowe. United Arab Emirates’s embassy in Somalia donated part of the ammunition supply.
Speaking to Journalists at the airport, Somalia’s deputy chief of defense forces Brigadier General Ali Bashe said that the supply of ammunition will play a crucial role in the fight against the extremists.
He added that the Federal government is ready to send combat troops if Puntland forces face challenges to tackle the insurgents.
Further details on the consignment of weapons and ammunition were not revealed to the media.
The assistance comes after Puntland requested aid from the international partners of the Federal government in the new battle against the al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
Over the past three days, Puntland security forces have been fighting against the al-Shabaab fighters that reached the Northern coastal villages of the region by speedboats from Central Somalia.
