Somali PM Urges Full Release of War Detainees

[Deeq A.]

Twenty-five detainees were released from Laascaanood prison as a goodwill gesture to help resolve the conflict in northern Somalia, following efforts led by the Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre.

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — The Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, lauded efforts to exchange war detainees following the 2023 conflict in northern Somalia.

“I thank all those who played a role in the release of detainees. Even in times of inter-clan conflict, taking fighters prisoner was not the norm. I call for the release of all remaining detainees,” said Barre.

In 2023, more than 300 soldiers from the Somaliland administration were captured after the storming of Goja’adda barracks on the outskirts of Laascaanood. It marked the largest number of detainees ever taken in an inter-clan conflict in Somalia.

Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti of Somalia, Sheikh Bashir Salad, welcomed the release of the detainees but condemned the continued detention of Somalis by various authorities due to internal conflict.

“There was no conflict between Somalia and another country. It is morally and religiously unacceptable to keep Somali detainees in their own homeland to the point that a third party, such as the Red Cross, must facilitate their release,” said Sheikh Salad.

The Federal Government of Somalia is working to secure the release of detainees held in Laascaanood. Somaliland administration initially rejected the 25 detainees whose release had been secured by the Prime Minister as a goodwill gesture to resolve the conflict in northern Somalia. 

This conflict involves Sool, Sanaag, Cayn & Khatumo (SSCK), a federal member state, and the Somaliland administration, a secessionist entity. 

Abdulkadir Aw Ali, the leader of the SSCK administration, reportedly stated that his government is committed to a peaceful resolution as the path to releasing all Somaliland detainees who waged war against SSCK administration.

© Puntland Post, 2025

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