Bosaso, Somalia– Reports have emerged that Colombian mercenaries, allegedly brought in by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been spotted at Bosaso Airport, working alongside local security forces and the Puntland Police Maritime Force.

Eyewitnesses at the airport noted the presence of foreign military personnel, believed to be former Colombian soldiers, engaged in security operations. Sources suggest these mercenaries are part of a long-standing UAE initiative to bolster security in the region, particularly in maritime defense and counterterrorism efforts.

The presence of foreign fighters in Puntland is not unprecedented. The UAE has previously been involved in training and equipping Puntland’s security forces, particularly the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), which was established to combat piracy and other security threats in the Gulf of Aden and along Somalia’s extensive coastline.

Local officials have not issued an official statement regarding the presence of Colombian mercenaries. However, security analysts argue that such deployments could be linked to broader regional security strategies by the UAE, which has maintained significant interests in Somalia, particularly in the autonomous Puntland region.

The sighting of these mercenaries has raised concerns among political observers and human rights activists, who question the implications of foreign military involvement in Somalia’s security affairs. Some fear it could exacerbate tensions between the Somali federal government and Puntland’s leadership, given past disputes over security partnerships with external actors.

As the situation develops, calls for transparency regarding foreign military presence in Puntland are growing, with stakeholders urging both Somali and international authorities to provide clarity on the nature and purpose of such collaborations.

HornPulse will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.