By Alistair Moir, Project Manager, MAG Puntland
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Preparing for demolitions in Galcaio. |
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122mm projectiles pre-demolition. |
Day 1
It was 5.45am and MAG’s Puntland team were in a convoy following the pick-up of Puntland Mine Action Centre’s (PMAC) Operations Manager Mr. Abdi Aziz. MAG are fortunate to be working for a second year with the Puntland Police’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team who, after being given written authorisation by the President of Puntland, were tasked to safely clear an army stockpile of surplus and unserviceable munitions in .
Galcaio is a town rich in culture and history. However, due to its geographical location and the clan borders surrounding it, the area has been of strategic importance to all sides during Somalia’s long struggles. Taking advantage of a quieter period within the region, PMAC and MAG decided to move from their base in Garowe down to Galcaio and begin work.
As we drove to the stockpile the team were immediately aware that rather than travelling out of town we were heading into the heart of the city. We left the main tar road and branched left, then right and lastly right again as the convoy of cars which included our police protection team kicked up the early morning dust. Around us, children walked to school and street vendors set up their stalls for the day. We stopped at a checkpoint in the middle of a quiet residential area and were then pointed in the direction of two heavy, rusted steel gates which swung open and gave us access to the army compound.
The compound was large and littered with old artillery pieces and a few 4x4 vehicles which had been stripped of every conceivable spare part. There were a number of offices and some large storage buildings, one of which had its roof missing. We were swiftly greeted by a Colonel and directed to sit under a tree perched on upturned ammunition boxes to make our official introductions. The Colonel although in his senior years had a strong handshake and quiet energy. He expressed his thanks to us and volunteered his men to assist our team in any way possible. Following this, the key holders were summoned and we were escorted to the building with the missing roof at the back of the plot.
The building was very large which detracted from the initial wow factor as the store was opened. Spread out over the cement floor, fully exposed to the elements were munitions ranging in size from 7.62mm rounds to BM-21 rockets – and everything in between, including white phosphorous projectiles. White phosphorous is a uniquely dangerous munition as once detonated and exposed to air its content burns intensely and can only be extinguished when starved of oxygen. In total the army wished us to clear around 12 tonnes of items.
The store was next to the perimeter wall and on the other side, no more than 70 metres away, were neatly kept middleclass houses and even an international non-governmental organisation’s main Somali office with their bore hole drilling rigs sitting out receiving morning maintenance. It was clear to everyone that disposing of these poorly stored and sometimes damaged items was quite necessary. Anything from a stray cigarette to a lightning storm could result in massive damage and loss of life within this heavily populated urban setting.
Following a field assessment of the surrounding area by Abdi Aziz, a Controlled Demolition Site (CDS) was identified a suitable distance from the city and any rural settlements. However due to the recent rains, the vegetation was so thick that large bulk demolitions may have caused bush fires. In addition, given the fragile security climate within the region neither PMAC nor MAG wished to disturb the local population with loud explosions. We therefore agreed to carry out one demolition of smaller unsafe items which could not be transported long distances, then move the rest north to PMAC’s well-established CDS on the outskirts of Garowe.
The hard work then began. With guidance from MAG’s technical experts, in temperatures of over 40 degrees with no shade due to the lack of a roof, everyone including soldiers from the army assisted the EOD team to load a small flatbed truck full of items. It was late in the afternoon when this was finally completed, however we were all happy that at first light the following day we could move the items to the CDS and begin the disposal.
Day 2
One advantage of getting up at 5am is that it is relatively cool and another is that you avoid the usual morning traffic. The truck moved easily from town to the CDS escorted by our convoy. Once on site the perimeter was set up and checked, the items were removed from the truck and carefully moved into the large demolition pit PMAC had identified. Each item was arranged and prepared with explosives for demolition. Final checks were made with each perimeter sentry and then the items were successfully destroyed.
By now it was after 11am, the sun was fully up and temperatures reached 43 degrees. MAG’s international staff, never very image conscious at the best of times, looked especially fetching after throwing off their protective body armour and helmets with t-shirts soaked in sweat, large sun hats on, sun glasses and streaked white sun block smeared across all exposed skin. Our Somali colleagues were taking whatever shelter they could by squatting under the small thorn bushes that dotted the landscape.
There was little time to straighten out our appearances as we swiftly moved back into town to begin loading the second truck of items to transport north to PMAC storage facilities. BM-21 rockets are 2.7 metres long and weigh around 70kg while the artillery shells we had to load weighed around 18kg. It again took a huge effort, three hours and three cases of bottled water however by 3.30pm the second truck was loaded and the job complete.
Day 3
On the third day we met at the army compound around 6am. We shared breakfast with the Captain responsible for the store, gave our thanks and formed our convoy heading north to PMAC’s operations base where the remaining items would be disposed of. As we rolled out the compound between the heavy steel gates onto the street some children poked their heads over their compound walls, waved and gave a thumbs up. A sure sign of a job well done!
9 December 09
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