| Unit name | Puntland Dervish Force Ciidamada Daraawiishta Puntland |
|---|---|
| Country | Puntland |
| Dates | 1998-present |
| Specialization | Law Enforcement, Counter-insurgency Internal Security |
| Size | 5,000[1] |
| Current commander | General Adan Abdi Hashi[2] |
| Garrison | Garowe |
| Branch | Ministry of Security (Puntland) |
| Notable commanders | |
| Battles |
The Puntland Dervish Force or Puntland Defence Forces[citation needed] (PDF, Somali: Ciidamadda Daraawiishta Puntland ama Ciidamadda Difaaca Dawladda Puntland, Arabic: قوات الدراويش في أرض البنط ) is the official armed forces of the Puntland Government.[4][5][6]
History
Following the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991, a homegrown constitutional conference was held in Garowe in 1998 over a period of three months.[7] Attended by the area's political elite, traditional elders (Issims), members of the business community, intellectuals and other civil society representatives, the autonomous Puntland State of Somalia was subsequently officially established so as to deliver services to the population, offer security, facilitate trade, and interact with both domestic and international partners.[8] The Puntland Security Force (PSF) was subsequently formed by the regional government.[9]
Since the founding of the state in 1998, the Puntland Dervish Force has operated in Puntland and throughout Somalia. Commanders and senior officials of the military are appointed by a qualified panel approved by the Council of Ministers.[9]
The Puntland security apparatus has an independent military judiciary, which during peacetime only adjudges military proceedings. Retired members of the Force are also constitutionally guaranteed pensions.[9]
Equipment
- Individual Weapons
- Assault Rifle
- AKM (Assault Rifle – 7.62×39mm)
- AK-74 (Assault Rifle – 5.45×39mm)
- PK machine gun (General-purpose machine gun – 7.62×54mmR)
- Sniper Rifle
- SVD Dragunov (Sniper Rifle – 7.62×54mmR)
- Anti-Tank Explosive
- RPG-7 (rocket-propelled grenade launcher – 40 mm)
- Assault Rifle
- Vehicles
- Main Battle Tank
- Armoured Personnel Carrier
- Military trucks
- Renault GBC 180 (6×6)
- M939 Truck (6×6)
- Pickup trucks
- Toyota Land Cruiser J79
- Toyota Hilux
- Nissan Frontier
- Armored Ford F350 Gun Truck
- Artillery and heavy machine guns
- Heavy machine guns
- Self-Propelled Artillery
- 122mm BM-21 Grad Multiple Rocket Launcher
- Mortar
- 60mm M-224
- Anti-Aircraft Gun
References
- ^ "Kirk Report Ending Somali Piracy Against American and Allied Shipping". Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Taliyaha cusub ee Ciidanka Daraawiishta Puntland oo Maanta xilka la wareegay". Puntland Post. 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ "Madaxweyne Deni oo xilka qaadis iyo magacaabis sameeyay –". Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ "Intelligence profile - Somalia". Cvni.net. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ^ Horton, Michael (10 March 2017). "Terrorism Monitor Volume: 15 Issue: 5". Refworld. Jamestown Foundation.
- ^ Bearak, Max (2023-04-08). "Al-Shabab militants storm army base in Somalia, killing dozens". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ de Waal, "The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa," 2015.
- ^ "Puntland's Experience in Peace-building and State-building". Somali Talk Radio. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
- ^ "Puntland Constitution". Puntlandgovt.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2014.