Puntland Rejects Claims of Shunning Somali Govt Support in ISIS Battle, Calls Claims ‘False’

FILE PHOTO: Mohamed Abdirahman Farole, Puntland's minister for Environment and Climate Change.

GAROWE, Somalia - Puntland has dismissed allegations made by FM Fiqi of sidelining the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) about the ongoing offensive against the IS-Somalia militants, terming the claims as completely 'false' and 'misleading'.

Mohamed Abdirahman Farole, Puntland's minister for Environment and Climate Change, maintains that the state did everything 'within our reach' to cooperate with the Mogadishu-based Somali government, but the efforts were met with 'resistance and attempts to change the constitution'.

"When President Deni was re-elected, he extended an invitation to the Somali President to discuss Puntland-FGS relations," he said. "This offer was made during Deni’s inauguration, in the presence of former Somali leaders, FMS presidents, and former Puntland leaders. However, the invitation was ignored."

"Instead, the response was an illegal attempt to amend the Somali Constitution. The federal government is now reaping the fruits of the tree it planted," added the minister, who said the state has made huge progress in the fight against ISIS militants.

Puntland has seized several strategic locations within the Cal-Miskaad mountains, with occasional support from the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates. The two countries are responsible for aerial surveillance and executions of airstrikes.

But the federal government of Somalia has gone missing, only re-igniting political tussles with Puntland, relating to plans to overthrow the constitution without the involvement of stakeholders. Both Puntland and Jubaland had cut ties with the federal government.

Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the foreign minister, had claimed that the ongoing operations against ISIS were a 'political campaign'. His remarks came after Villa Somalia failed to provide support for Puntland in the counterterrorism operations.

Launched in late December 2024, the Operation in Cal-Miskaad has been a game-changer in the fight against ISIS. The Hilac Campaign made significant gains against ISIS as Puntland forces captured strategic areas, and key bases and killed hundreds of militants, including foreign fighters, dealing a blow to the group.

On Feb. 1, a U.S. military airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump killed 14 Islamic State operatives in the area, including Ahmed Maeleninine, identified as a key recruiter and financier who coordinated jihadist movements in the US and Europe.

“I saw Puntland ministers publicly criticize the Somali government. Puntland has rejected FGS assistance in the fight against ISIS; we have evidence of this,” Fiqi said.

On Thursday, Puntland forces struck hard against the Islamic State group, with a combined air and ground offensive dubbed Hillaac. The assault near Togga-Jeceel in the Cal Miskaad mountains left 44 militants dead, an army statement said.

The local counterterrorism unit said the U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against ISIS in the Calmiskaad mountains of the Bari region at 9 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2025, in coordination with the Puntland government. Officials said further details will be provided as they become available.

The Federal Government of Somalia has largely been a fence sitter, even struggling to eradicate the notorious Al-Shabaab militants within central and southern regions. The progress by Puntland forces has been lauded as 'strategic and impactful'.

GAROWE ONLINE