PRESS RELEASE, 10 July 2011
On 9 July, Puntland security forces at Laasqoray coast fired warning shots onunidentified foreign soldiers who landed on the coast using small boats and anamphibious Armed Personnel Carrier (APC).
The foreign soldiers withdrew to the sea without firing back.
Puntland Government sources later revealed the foreign soldiers had disembarkedfrom a British Royal Navy warship and were accompanied by Somaliland militaryofficers, including a man identified as Berbera-based Somaliland Coast guard commander Admiral Ahmed Aw Osman.
British naval personnel landed on the Laasqoray coast without the permission of Puntland Government.
It has since been revealed that the British naval warship wasmisled by Somaliland authorities, who provided false information that Las Koreytown is controlled by Somaliland forces.
The incident created high tensions inside Las Korey town, as Puntland securityforces fired warning shots.
The Government of Puntland strongly condemns the actions of Somalilandauthorities that potentially compromise the peace and stability of northern Somalia.
This act of foreign public opinion manipulation is unacceptable for good neighborlyrelations and mutual coexistence to strengthen regional security and stability.
Furthermore, the Puntland Government welcomes the British Foreign andCommonwealth Office and the British Royal Navy’s immediate and directcommunication with Puntland officials to clarify this regrettable misunderstanding.
Finally, the Government of Puntland calls on Somaliland authorities to respect neighbourly relations and to refrain from similar actions in the future, as Somaliland has previously attacked Puntland regions.— END —
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