Mogadishu — Authorities in the semiautonomous regional government of Puntland have denied they were involved in the killing of 55 Islamists held as prisoners by the Ethiopian military troops.

Puntland information minister Abdirahman Mohammed Bangah has told Shabelle Radio by the phone that his regional government was not involved in the massacre reportedly committed by the Ethiopian troops.

He said they arranged a mass burial for the dead in Galkayo where Puntalnd and warlord Abdiqeybdid control, reiterating his government was not involved.

He said Puntland forces were confined to Galkayo, and did not fight in central Somalia where the prisoners were captured.

The news comes as the Ethiopian troops and militias loyal to former warlord Mohammed Dhere have entered the town of Jawhar, 90 km (55 miles) away from the capital Mogadishu.

Somalia has had no effective central government since 1991 when warlords toppled former president Siad Barre.