SOVREIGN PMC spotted in Zargabad

SOVREIGN has been making aggressive moves in the increasingly lawless region

Photo of SOVREIGN squad in front of the blue mosque in Zargabad, Takistan
Photo of SOVREIGN squad in front of the blue mosque in Zargabad, Takistan Image source: SOVREIGN Group on ๐• (formerly twitter.com).

International observers in Zargabad, Takistan have reported that the SOVREIGN PMC unit has been sighted in the area. The group has released photos from minor operations and group photos in front of known landmarks such as the prominent blue mosque. The PMC was first seen in Altis in June this year.

The group claims to have a contract in place with the local security forces and seems to be cooperating with them. Observers however noted their ruthlessness during operations, especially against Islamist insurgents.

Additionally, locals have voices serious concerns over both their ideological material and overall goals in the region. Even if they nominally work with the government, they reportedly treat locals very poorly, according to witnesses and people who had contact to their operatives. “they […] will sometimes just shoot their guns to scare kids and everyone around them, while laughing”, said a local man who wished to remain anonymous.

A SOVREIGN squad was involved in an incident three days ago, in which they contractors stormed a doctor’s office. The office, which is part of a former mixed residential and commercial building, was given to Njenga Amondi by city officials. Amondi is a Kenyan volunteer doctor and affiliated with IDAP.

Amondi accused SOVREIGN of violence against them and their staff and heavily protested the allegation that he willingly harboured the terrorists, citing the fact that he had barely ever seen the people living above his clinic, had no issues with them and opened the clinic less than three weeks ago. SOVREIGN PMC has declined to comment on the allegations.

Photo of Njenga Amondi
Photo of Njenga Amondi Image source: Amondi General Practice on Google Maps (Published with permission).

Jeffrey Forester is a specialist correspondent, based in Zargabad. In 2008, he joined AAN to report on the Afghanistan conflict and has since expanded his reporting to large parts of the Middle Eastern Region. He was previously with the New York Times from 2000 until joining AAN.