Puntland condemns Ethiopia action in Galkayo Posted by bullet.gif miharbi on October 09 2009 12:31:

9 Oct 9, 2009 - 12:20:08 PM

GALKAYO, Somalia Oct 9 (Garowe Online) - Authorities in Somalia's Puntland State government have condemned unilateral action reportedly taken by Ethiopian intelligence agents in the central city of Galkayo, Radio Garowe reports. Ethiopian intelligence agents raided a Galkayo house overnight Wednesday, wounding at least two Somali men inside.

Government sources said the home owner was wounded and left for dead inside the house, while the second man's wounded body was found in a village north of Galkayo.

Both wounded victims were receiving medical treatment at area hospitals. But unconfirmed reports said Ethiopian intelligence kidnapped a third Somali man.

Gen. Abdullahi Said Samatar, Puntland's security minister, told the BBC Somali Service that the Puntland government “condemns” the Ethiopian intelligence agents' raid on the house in Galkayo.

He noted that Puntland' s government enjoys good relations with Ethiopia, but underlined that Puntland authorities were “unaware” of the raid in Galkayo.

“We are sending a written letter to the Ethiopian government regarding the incident,” Minister Samatar said.

The people of Puntland have expressed disappointment with the unilateral actions of Ethiopian intelligence on Puntland soil. The Ethiopian government is concerned about the activities of Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebels in different parts of Somalia.