By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Las'anod – Somalia’s North East State authorities have banned civilians from carrying weapons in the region's major towns, saying the measure is intended to strengthen security and maintain public order.
In a directive issued by the Ministry of Security, the regional administration said the order took effect on June 28, 2026, and stipulates that only authorised members of the security forces may carry firearms within the main urban centres.
The ministry instructed the police and other security agencies to immediately enforce the directive and take legal action against anyone found violating the order.
"Anyone who breaches this directive will be dealt with in accordance with the law," the ministry said in a statement.
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It added that any weapons confiscated while the order is being enforced would be formally seized by the North East State administration.
Officials described the measure as part of broader efforts to strengthen security and preserve public order across the region's major towns.
The directive comes a week after at least 21 people were killed in clashes in Aricadeeye, an area under the North East State administration, on June 22. While the authorities did not explicitly link the new restrictions to the violence, the order comes amid ongoing security challenges in the region.