Puntland’s regional government has announced plans to repatriate illegal Ethiopian refugees living in Garowe, citing concerns over security, hygiene, and cultural integration.
Governor of Nugal region Abdirahman Abshir Qanqaa stated on Monday that the decision is driven by fears that al-Shabab and ISIS-Somalia could exploit the refugees for terrorist activities.
The repatriation plan includes constructing temporary centers, with the support of international organizations, to house the refugees until they can be returned to Ethiopia.
The move comes after Puntland security forces recently seized a cache of “suicide” drones—weaponry not previously seen in Somalia—and arrested seven people linked to al-Shabab or ISIS-Somalia.
