Puntland security forces this morning attacked a group of soldiers protesting unpaid wages, who had been blocking the highway connecting the towns of Bosaso and Qardho since yesterday.
After a brief confrontation, Puntland forces managed to reopen the highway, as the rebels fled the area in the past 24 hours.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least one soldier from the forces blocking the highway was injured in the confrontation.
The opening of the highway has allowed the resumption of traffic that had been stuck on both sides of the highway, which the rebels had refused to cross during their occupation.
In recent times, soldiers protesting unpaid wages have repeatedly blocked important roads in Puntland to pressure the government to respond to their grievances.
However, today’s move marks the first time that security forces have used force against other forces that have blocked roads.
The Bari regional administration has previously said that the forces blocking the roads are tribal forces that previously participated in the fighting in the Calmiskaad mountains.
Regional authorities said that the forces were scheduled to undergo military training and exercises, but they refused to participate in the training, which led to the current conflict.
