Police compound attacked in Qardo

Residents have vented their frustration by attacking a police station in Qardo, 200 km south of Bosaso, the commercial capital of the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia. Local sources told IRIN the attack followed after police attempted to arrest militia members over a reported robbery while elders were negotiating a solution. The militia had allegedly looted 365 million Somali shillings (US $24,000) from the Puntland authorities last week, and also set up roadblocks. Local elders tried to calm the situation, and asked the police not take any action while they attempted to recover the money. “The police did not heed the elders and went after the youths” the source said. Fighting broke out between the militia and police, leaving two dead and five injured.
According to local sources, the Puntland police were forced to retreat to their station, where they were surrounded by angry civilians. Community elders intervened, but insisted that police and administration officials leave Qardo to reduce the tension.