Garowe, PUNTLAND – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni today announced a comprehensive military campaign aimed at eradicating the threat posed by Al-Shabab and the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia) in the region. Speaking at the opening session of Parliament in Garowe, the President’s speech marked a decisive moment in Puntland’s ongoing struggle against extremism and terrorism, signaling a renewed commitment to securing the region’s future and protecting its people from the scourge of militant violence.
President Deni’s declaration of war on Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia comes at a critical juncture in Puntland’s history, as the region grapples with the complex challenges of building a stable, secure, and prosperous future in the face of multiple threats and adversities. From the rugged mountains of Al-Madow and Al-Miskad, where militant groups have long sought refuge and a base of operations, the people of Puntland have endured years of hardship and sacrifice in the face of an implacable foe.
The Threat of Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia in Puntland
Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia, has long been a bulwark against the spread of extremism and terrorism in the Horn of Africa. With its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and its reputation for relative stability and security, Puntland has played a critical role in regional efforts to combat piracy, smuggling, and other transnational threats.
However, in recent years, the region has increasingly found itself in the crosshairs of Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia, two of the most notorious and deadly militant groups operating in the region. Al-Shabab, which has waged a long and brutal insurgency against the Somali government and its international partners, has sought to extend its reach and influence into Puntland, however, it has failed to expand its influence and control into urban centers and is currently holed up in the mountains.
IS-Somalia, a relatively newer entrant to the region’s militant landscape, has also sought to carve out a foothold in Puntland since 2015, exploiting local grievances and tensions to recruit fighters and establish a presence in the region’s more remote and inaccessible areas. While smaller in size and less well-established than Al-Shabab, IS-Somalia has nevertheless proven to be a potent and resilient threat, with strong international connections.
The threat posed by Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia to Puntland’s security and stability cannot be overstated. The constant threat of attack has forced many businesses to close their doors, while the specter of recruitment and radicalization has left families and communities grappling with the loss of their young people to the false promises of extremism.
President Deni’s Vision for a Militant-Free Puntland
It is against this backdrop of violence, instability, and human suffering that President Deni’s declaration of war on Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia must be understood. In his speech to Parliament, the President made clear that the time for half-measures and equivocation had passed, and that Puntland was ready to take the fight to the militants in their strongholds and hideouts.
At the heart of President Deni’s vision for a militant-free Puntland is a recognition that the threat posed by Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia is not just a military or security challenge, but a fundamental threat to the region’s way of life and its hopes for a better future. As such, the President’s declaration of war is a call to action for all Puntlanders to unite behind a common cause and to work together to build a region free from the tyranny of extremism and violence.
Central to this effort will be a comprehensive military campaign aimed at dislodging Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia from their strongholds in the mountains of Al-Madow and Al-Miskad, and at disrupting their ability to plan and execute attacks across the region. As President Deni made clear in his speech, this will require a sustained and coordinated effort by Puntland’s security forces, working in close collaboration with local communities and international partners to gather intelligence, identify targets, and strike at the heart of the militant threat.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of President Deni’s declaration of war on Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia was his call for the militants themselves to lay down their arms and to seek a path to reconciliation and reintegration into Puntland society. In a powerful gesture of forgiveness and compassion, the President offered amnesty to those fighters who were willing to renounce violence and extremism, and to work towards building a better future for themselves and their communities.
This offer of amnesty is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Puntland people, and to their unwavering commitment to the values of peace, tolerance, and human dignity. It is a recognition that, even in the face of unspeakable violence and suffering, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal, and that the path to lasting security and stability lies not just in the defeat of the enemy, but in the healing of the wounds that have torn communities apart.
