GAROWE (Somaliguardian) – A prominent clan elder has been killed in a mysterious drone strike in Somalia’s northeastern Sanaag region, sparking alarm among traditional leaders and fuelling speculation about the motive behind the attack.
Omar Abdillahi Abdi was travelling alone in the Ji’anyo area on Saturday when his vehicle was struck by what authorities described as an aerial assault involving three missiles. The incident occurred as he journeyed from Elbuh district towards Badhan, a town under the administration of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia.
Puntland police confirmed that the vehicle was completely destroyed, with the wreckage reduced to ashes. A police spokesman said only small fragments of the elder’s remains were recovered and that preliminary investigations indicated he was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
No one has claimed responsibility for the strike, and the origin of the drone remains unknown – an unusual development in a region that rarely experiences air strikes.
“This is unprecedented in this part of Sanaag,” one regional elder told the Somaliguardian on condition of anonymity. “Omar was a respected figure involved in peacebuilding and mediation. There is no clear reason why he would be targeted militarily.”
The airstrike has sent shockwaves through local communities, with elders voicing concerns that they too could be targeted without warning.
While drone strikes are rare in Sanaag, neighbouring Bari region has been the site of repeated aerial operations by U.S. and UAE forces, who support Puntland’s military campaign against Islamic State (ISIS) militants entrenched in the Al Miskat mountains.
Security analysts say the precision nature of Saturday’s strike suggests it was carried out by a technologically advanced actor – but its target, a non-combatant clan elder, has prompted further questions.
The elder had reportedly opposed a controversial plan by Puntland’s President, Saeed Abdullahi Deni, to allow the United Arab Emirates to extract minerals – including rare earths and potentially lithium – from the Al Madow mountain range in Sanaag.
Sources close to the matter allege that Omar had rejected the deal outright in recent meetings with regional officials, insisting that local communities be consulted and benefit directly from any resource agreements.
Rising Tensions
Though there is no direct evidence linking the drone strike to the mineral dispute, the timing of the elder’s killing has led to growing suspicion among local leaders that political motives may have been at play.
“It’s difficult to ignore the possibility that this was not a mistake, but a message,” said a traditional leader in Badhan, requesting anonymity due to security concerns.
Puntland authorities have promised a full investigation but have yet to disclose any leads or request international support in identifying the drone operator.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the UAE military, both of which have previously conducted operations in Somalia, have not issued statements regarding the incident.
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