Silent Shots, Rooftop Gunmen: Somaliland Investigates External Attack in Awdal.
Somaliland’s military is investigating whether foreign or unidentified gunmen opened fire on civilians during the recent unrest in Borama, deepening suspicions that outside actors may have attempted to escalate the clashes.
Col. Mohamed Abdi Abdille, spokesperson for the armed forces, said the military has found no evidence that national troops intentionally targeted residents and cautioned against drawing conclusions without verified facts. Instead, he pointed to early accounts indicating the presence of external shooters.
“We believe a third party was involved,” Abdille said. “Reports indicate that individuals from distant positions used sniper rifles against civilians. We are following these accounts closely.”
Those concerns intensified as security forces detained four suspected snipers in Borama amid a widening probe into a series of mysterious shootings that have shaken the city and fueled public anxiety.
Multiple independent sources told WARYATV that security units are pursuing what they believe is a network of armed men responsible for targeted attacks over several days.
Residents reported seeing individuals stationed atop rooftops and tall buildings overlooking central Borama, including high-rise structures near Borama Hospital. Images circulating widely on social media appear to show figures positioned on elevated buildings with long-range rifles, reinforcing fears of coordinated activity.
Eyewitnesses described the shooters as “highly trained” and “deliberately positioned.” Security sources say as many as ten suspected snipers may still be at large.
The threat escalated on Friday when three people were fatally shot near Borama Hospital. Witnesses reported hearing “silent” rounds — suggesting the use of suppressors, an unusually sophisticated tactic in a city unaccustomed to precision attacks.
One resident, Fardus Ahmed Hassan, posted online that a tall building near the hospital appeared to be a likely firing point.
Security officials say they are examining whether the sniper activity is linked to external groups seeking to destabilize Awdal in the wake of recent unrest.
The arrest operation remains ongoing, with additional suspects believed to be operating inside Borama’s urban center.
