Friday February 9, 2024
Garowe (HOL) – Puntland’s police force announced the arrest of two key foreign leaders of the Islamic State in the Bari region. Hassan Ibnu Mohamed Ibnu Hussein of Morocco and Mohamed Ibnu Mohamed Ahmed of Syria were captured during a precise operation in the Bohol area, highlighting the ongoing battle against extremism in Somalia.
The successful operation is part of a broader crackdown that, over the past six months, has seen the detention of multiple members affiliated with both the Islamic State and Al-Shabaab factions. These efforts have not only targeted groups within Somalia but also those with ties to Morocco, Sudan, Syria, and Ethiopia, indicating a regional approach to counterterrorism.
According to the police command’s statement, these operations have significantly disrupted extremist networks. The focus on the mountainous terrain of the Bari region, a known stronghold for militants, demonstrates the strategic depth of Puntland’s security initiatives.
