Hargeisa (SD) – Somaliland has today presented military officials to the media saying they defected from the Somali federal forces.

The General Command of Somaliland welcomed the four officers, who said they had defected from Somalia and had been misled and educated on the principle of greater Somalia unity as young people.

“I welcome the officers and soldiers who defected from Somalia and returned to Somaliland. We accept them,” said Abdirizak Afgadud, commander of the Somaliland national army.

Some of the officers were members of the Somali National Army (SNA) and the GORGOR commandos and have asked for pardons to Somaliland officials, and with President Muse Bihi Abdi.

The officials who spoke to the media said they were tricked into the idea of Unity, accusing the Federal Government of Somalia as the number one enemy of Somaliland.

“I am appealing to the people of Somaliland today for forgiveness. We were misguided youths who were educated on the Somali unity principles but today I am returning to the Republic of Somaliland with knowledge of the truth.” said Jaabir Ismail Osman.

The Somali federal government has not yet commented on the troops’ alleged defection from NISA and Gorgor.