Religious clerics in Puntland have called for unity among communities to support the ongoing military campaign against ISIS militants in the Al-Miskaat Mountains of the Bari region, urging financial and moral backing for the Puntland State Army.
During a sermon, Sheikh Mohamud Haji Yusuf stressed the importance of collective action in defeating ISIS, emphasizing the need for clan support in the form of resources and cooperation.
“When fighting these men, we must unite, and with God’s help, we will defeat them. The clans must financially support the Puntland government, and whatever can be done should be done. These militants have caused immense suffering to the nation,” said Sheikh Yusuf.
Sheikh Ali Maah, a prominent religious leader in Bosaso, repeated the call for unity while highlighting concerns about the role of foreign fighters within ISIS ranks. He urged the Puntland administration to scrutinize foreigners entering the region, noting that many of the ISIS fighters in Puntland are not Somali.
“These foreigners, who commit crimes in their home countries, have infiltrated Somalia. The public must stand with the Puntland forces to ensure they are dealt with,” he said.
IS in Somalia—with an estimated 700 to 1,500 fighters in Puntland’s mountains—is much smaller than al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab, which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia. But analysts say it has become an increasingly important part of its parent organisation’s worldwide network in recent years.
Some media outlets reported last year that its head, Abdulqadir Mumin, had become IS’s global leader, citing U.S. officials. IS has not confirmed the move.
