GAROWE, Somalia Mar 4 2012 (Garowe Online) – Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF) have begun operations in the coastal city of Eyl, Garowe Online reports.
The small unit consisting of more than 200 troops was sent to Eyl a coastal town 155km east of Garowe. The government coordinator for the PMPF Abdirasak Mohamed Hidig who spoke to reporters said that President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole requested that the PMPF were sent to coastal towns to begin anti-piracy operations.
The troops will also be assisting in the construction of an airstrip and other development programs in Eyl to strengthen the presence of the marine force on the coast of Puntland. Mr. Hidig said that in the coming future PMPF would be sent to Bargal, Gara’ad, Qandala and Las Qoray to begin anti-piracy operations in these coastal communities.
Training and recruitment of troops for the PMPF has been increased as the Puntland government strives to bring piracy in Puntland to an end.
PMPF have conducted operations in the coastal town of Qow to curb the illegal smuggling of persons to nearby countries such as Yemen. But this is the first anti-piracy operations in Puntland that the PMPF will conduct and according to Mr. Hidig there are more operations planned for the future.
