Rift deepens as Somaliland's accusations against UAE trained forces emerge

The Break-away Republic of Somaliland has accused of UAE-trained forces of launching attacks on Somaliland forces. According to a statement released by the Somaliland Ministry of Defence on Thursday, these attacks have taken place amid ongoing conflicts in Las Anod.

The Ministry further asserted that these attacks have been perpetrated by a coalition consisting of UAE-trained Puntland Maritime Forces, Al-Shabaab, clan militias, and Somalia soldiers who received training in Eritrea.

“Our intelligence sources have unequivocally confirmed that the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), trained by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to combat terrorist groups and pirates operating in Puntland-State of Somalia, has now joined this malevolent alliance. Disturbingly, they have assumed different camouflage uniforms to obscure their true intentions,” read the statement from Somaliland Ministry of Defense.

The statement added: “we regret to inform their esteemed government that UAE-funded Puntland-State of Somalia soldiers are now being employed to attack Somaliland.”