Deni Breaks His Silence on Nugaal Coast Strikes, Demands Law Over Force

Garowe –(WDN)— Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has spoken publicly for the first time about the airstrikes reported along the coast of Nugaal, expressing regret over how the operations were carried out and insisting that suspected criminals must be dealt with through the law rather than force outside established legal procedures.

Speaking at a public gathering in Jariiban, Mudug region, Deni addressed the deteriorating security situation in Puntland, including the strikes reported in recent days against locations allegedly linked to suspected Somali pirates. “We are not satisfied with what happened. I am deeply saddened by it,” Deni said, stressing that anyone accused of committing a crime should be subjected to a lawful process rather than being dealt with through extrajudicial measures.

His remarks come amid growing uncertainty over who carried out the strikes, who authorized them and what intelligence was used to identify the targets. The attacks have generated considerable concern among coastal communities, particularly after reports that civilians and fishermen may have been caught up in the operations.

Deni’s intervention adds a new political dimension to an already murky episode. While Puntland has previously voiced concern over the reported strikes, the president’s latest comments appear to draw a clear line between combating piracy and the methods used to pursue suspected perpetrators. His message was that criminal activity cannot be an excuse for abandoning due process.