Members of Minnesota’s Somali community, primarily from the Puntland region, have condemned the Somali government’s inaction in the fight against ISIS, expressed support for Puntland’s defensive forces and lauded the U.S. government and President Donald Trump for their assistance.
Trump ordered airstrikes on Feb. 1 against the Islamic State in a remote mountainous cave complex in Somalia’s Puntland region, reportedly killing one of ISIS leaders and other militants.
“Not only has the Somali government abdicated its responsibility to protect its land and its people, it has politicized this important fight from the very beginning,” Abdifatah Mohamed said at a Feb. 7 news conference where he was flanked by community leaders and elders.
Nevertheless, Puntland’s campaign, “Operation Hillaac,” has made significant success in driving out the terrorist group, said Mohamed, a Twin Cities attorney.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud — who has made fighting terrorism a top priority — on Feb. 1 thanked the United States for its “unwavering support” and “in our shared fight against terrorism.” He lauded President Trump’s “bold and decisive leadership” in counterterrorism efforts, stressing that the U.S. president’s actions were “highly valued and welcomed in Somalia.”.
“Terrorism will neither find friends, nor any place to call home, in Puntland state and entire Somalia,” Mohamud posted a statement on the social media platform X.
But the Somali government has since been accused of neglecting its citizens and politicizing the fight against ISIS. At the presser, Mohamed cited the government’s refusal to issue passports to wounded Puntland soldiers needing medical treatment abroad as a particularly egregious example. He and others noted that despite this lack of support, the Somali government is attempting to take credit for Puntland’s victories.
Mohamed Dini, a member of the Somalia parliament and longtime Minnesota resident, said the fight against ISIS has worsened the political rift between Puntland and the federal government.
“The federal government hasn’t helped Puntland,” Dini said in an interview with Mshale. “But what we all need to know is that this is an unprecedented attack. ISIS isn’t a local militia. This is an international mafia, sophisticated, well-trained, well-funded, and drawn from over 21 nations.”
Dini stressed the importance of Somali government participation and continued U.S. engagement, including a military presence and strikes against this growing terrorist network. He underscored the global threat emanating from Somalia.
Dini said four dozen members of Somalia’s parliament represent Puntland and have led fundraising and medical support efforts.
“The federal government of Somalia must do its part,” Dini said. “But ISIS is not just a threat to Somalia but to the whole world, especially U.S. national security. We must defeat them.”
Puntland forces aided by the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates, have effectively countered ISIS. This week, backed by UAE airstrikes, Puntland forces killed at least 44 ISIS militants in a counterterrorism operation targeting insurgent hideouts in the Al-Miskaad Mountains, Puntland authorities announced on X.
Mohamed Keynan, Chairman of the Puntland diaspora in Minnesota, urged the community to heed the call to action from Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni to support the fight against ISIS. He and others stressed the importance of the diaspora’s commitment to providing both moral and material support to their homeland. Local committees have already been formed to coordinate aid and fundraising efforts within the Minnesota Somali community.
“We have reached that moment where we are ready to act and take the call to fight against the terrorist group,” Keynan said.
