Hargeysa, April 4, 2007 – The authorities of the breakaway republic of Somaliland in northwest Somalia allowed Wednesday Juba Airways airplane carrying deportees to make landing at Hargeisa Airport.

Dozens of Somalis who were deported from Saudi Arabia were onboard the plane which was initially destined to Mogadishu. However, due to days of violence, it was rerouted to Galkio in central Somalia.

Puntland officials refused the plane to offload the passengers at the airport and ordered the pilot to take the deportees back to Saudi Arabia.

Sources say that the plane has been flying over the Hargeisa city for several minutes until it was allowed to land.

Some of the deportees who talked to the reporters thanked Somaliland officials for their hospitality.

Source: SomaliNet