The Police Command of Baargaal District in the Bari region has reported that they have regained control of two boats that were previously seized by armed groups off the coast of Baargaal.
The two boats and their crews were released unharmed after the groups who had taken them decided to free them. The boats, now under the control of government forces, were carrying 12 crew members comprising both Somalis and foreigners. According to the local police, the boats were owned by businessmen from Somaliland.
One of the captains aboard the seized boats told Puntland Television that the armed men who captured the vessels did not harm any of the crew and that they were eventually released safely.
The Baargaal district command stated that the seizure was in retaliation for an earlier incident in which two boats belonging to residents of Baargaal were taken from the port of Lasqoray. The armed group claimed their actions were a response to that incident.
“Two boats were seized yesterday in Baargaal by clan militia. The reason for the seizure, according to them, was in response to two boats belonging to Baargaal residents that were taken from Lasqoray port. They captured the boats as retaliation,” the statement read.
Lastly, Baargaal police warned against such actions, stating that they could disrupt trade and movement between communities. They urged the Somaliland administration to remain cautious and avoid escalating the situation.
This incident follows a similar event in Lasqoray, where armed groups had previously seized boats docked at the port, which were later also released.
