Drones from Turkey seized at an airport in Somalia

Some NISA members part of the team in charge of airport security confirmed to Keydmedia English that seized six drones were destined to Puntland’s capital, Garowe, northeast of Somalia.

News Keydmedia Online
4 November 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The National Intelligence and Security Agency [NISA] says it has seized drones at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International airport, raising eyebrows in the Horn of Africa country.

NISA arrested Turkish citizens who smuggled the drones into the country and they have later were released from intelligence prison on bail by the Turkish ambassador to Somalia Mehmet Yilmaz.

Some NISA members part of the team in charge of airport security confirmed to Keydmedia English that seized six drones were destined to Puntland’s capital, Garowe, northeast of Somalia.

After the seizure, Puntland’s security minister Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan issued a statement banning the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the state, citing security reasons.

The drones belong to former Somali lawmaker Zakariya Haji Ismail, staunch support of Farmajo who hails from Puntland. He served the outgoing 10th Somalia’s national assembly.

Ismail told local media that he has bought the drones from Turkey to use them for agricultural irrigation purposes, accusing Farmajo and NISA leadership of confiscating his equipment.

He vowed to file a lawsuit against Farmajo in Mogadishu court to find his drones through legal means. The capture comes amid security concerns in the capital during the election period.

An intelligence official at the airport leaked information to Keydmedia English which says ex-MP could transport to Ethiopia, where ten-month fighting is ongoing between the government and the TPLF.

KEYDMEDIA English