By Sayyid Omar

Somaliland’s Vice President, Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, and a delegation he led attended a ceremony on Tuesday to formally integrate new units into the Civil Defense Forces in the Tuurka area of Gar-Adag District.

During the event, newly joined forces were presented as official members of the Somaliland Defense Forces. They handed over their military vehicles and weapons to become part of the national forces.

Addressing the newly integrated civil forces, the Vice President warned against the unauthorized possession of arms and combat vehicles, stressing that no individual is allowed to possess such equipment illegally.

“One thing I want to make clear today: no one, whether operating independently or in groups, will be allowed to own weapons or technicals (armed vehicles); we will confiscate them,” stated Vice President Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi.

The Vice President also attended another ceremony in Aynaba, the capital of the Saraar region, where the first batch of civil defense troops in that region were formally integrated. These troops, along with their military vehicles, were officially transferred to the Oog district to begin their operations there.

Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi emphasized that the government’s plan, under the leadership of President Cirro, aims to unify and strengthen Somaliland’s Civil Defense Forces.

“The government is committed to officially integrating all Civil Defense Forces and their equipment. It is an ambitious plan, but this new administration has prioritized establishing a single, strong force capable of ensuring national defense and security,” he said.

The formal integration of these newly armed forces is seen as a significant step toward stabilizing Somaliland’s regions and enhancing national cohesion.