Search for two German hostages end in Somaliland, hostages moved to Somalia

Somaliland Interior minister, Mr Abdallah Ismail "Irro

German couple apparently kidnapped in Somaliland's Sanaag region caused Somaliland government to take bold initiatives to rescue the hostages

Somaliland police forces investigating the two missing German tourists reported to be in Somaliland territories deep in the mountainous range of Al-Madow has been aborted after costly hunt for the kidnappers.

Defence Minister Abdalla Ali Abraham ordered military personnel to accompany police forces as suspected kidnappers were reported to be heavily armed. Somaliland already with an experience in releasing hostages learning from the suffering of another German hostage, quickly dispatched personnel to surround all possible areas potential as ideal for hostage takers including towns but to no avail.

"Smokescreen"

In a surprising twist, Interior Minister Abdalla Ismail "Irro" suggested such reports of two hostages in Somaliland territories may have been smokescreen for the kidnappers. He identified the suspected location both hostages are held as western part of Bender Qasim also known as Bosaaso city in Somalia and not in Somaliland's territory.

In an interview with Somaliland news agency, he refused to comment more and requested his hope for moral sense to prevail in Somalia. The latest kidnapping is believed to be as a result of the current internal politics in the piracy invested Somalia's self styled autonomous "Puntland State of Somalia". The kidnappers are believed to be raising funds to fight local elections against current leader of Puntland General Adde Mose.

Both hostages are believed to be alive and in good health, often being moved to different houses at night. Although the search has ended, the investigation to close this case still continues.

Impunity from criticism