Sunday December 29, 2024
FILE – Somali lawmakers attend a parliamentary session in Mogadishu, discussing critical national issues, including the ongoing counterterrorism operations in Puntland against ISIS and Al-Shabaab.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Members of Somalia’s Federal Parliament hailing from Puntland have expressed their full support for the ongoing fight led by Puntland’s administration and its security forces against ISIS and Al-Shabaab, militant groups operating in the Bari region.
Puntland launched a large-scale military operation to combat the growing presence of ISIS, deploying thousands of troops and significant resources to dismantle the militant group’s fortified positions in the region’s treacherous mountain ranges.
In a statement issued Saturday, the lawmakers commended Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and the region’s security forces for their decisive actions. “The recent military operations launched in the Bari region are clear evidence of Puntland’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and stability of its citizens and the broader Somali population,” the statement read.
The lawmakers criticized the Federal Government of Somalia for its lack of support in these efforts, describing it as a missed opportunity for unified action against terrorism. “We are deeply disappointed by the politicization of military aid and the war on terror,” they noted, urging the federal government to align its counterterrorism strategy with Puntland’s efforts.
The campaign, led by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, follows alarming reports of ISIS’s expansion in the area. According to a November 2024 U.N. report, the group’s Somali affiliate, IS-Somalia, has doubled its numbers to 600-700 fighters, bolstered by an influx of foreign combatants who have entered the region through maritime and overland routes. These fighters have strengthened the group’s capabilities, allowing it to establish a network of fortified bases and roads in the rugged Al Miskat and Al Madow mountains.
The mountainous terrain has posed challenges to Puntland’s forces, with dense forests and cliffs providing natural defences for the militants. “The enemy knows the land, and the weather isn’t on our side. But we’re determined to push them back,” a Puntland military spokesperson said during a recent briefing. Despite these obstacles, the government remains resolute in its mission to secure the region and disrupt ISIS’s growing influence.
Economic disruption has further underscored the urgency of the offensive. Businesses in Bosaso, Puntland’s financial hub, have reported extortion by ISIS, forcing several enterprises to shut down. Vice President Ahmed Elmi has called on local communities to collaborate with security forces, emphasizing that societal unity is critical in defeating extremist groups.
Recognizing the critical role of local support, Puntland’s Vice President Ahmed Elmi has called on communities to actively assist security forces. “This is not just a military operation; it’s a collective effort. Unity among our people is the strongest weapon against extremism,” Elmi said during a town hall meeting in Bosaso.
Beyond Puntland, ISIS’s expansion has raised alarms across the Horn of Africa, a region already grappling with piracy, clan conflicts, and the enduring threat of Al-Shabaab. Analysts warn that the group’s entrenchment could destabilize the area, underscoring the need for a coordinated international response to dismantle its infrastructure.
