In the bustling heart of London, whispers of geopolitical struggles thousands of miles away ripple through the air. The Somali Federal Government finds itself embroiled in a tempestuous rivalry with Puntland, a semi-autonomous region that has taken the fight against terrorism into its own hands.
Puntland’s recent “Hillaac Operation,” named after the mighty thunder that reverberates through the skies, has made significant strides against the persistent threat of ISIS. In a mere month, this operation has turned heads, catching the eyes of security analysts across the Horn of Africa.
But every rose has its thorn. Reports suggest that Hassan Sheikh, the Somali Federal Government President, may be crafting a treacherous plot to undermine Puntland’s successes. Why? Perhaps the saying “if you can’t beat them, join them” doesn’t quite resonate in the government halls of Mogadishu.
A document has surfaced, offering a peek behind the curtain at these alleged machinations:
#DOCUMENT: Highlighting Somali Federal Government’s struggle in their strife against Al-Shabaab, showcasing their envy towards the solid strides made by Puntland in its operations against ISIS.
The #Hillaac [thunder] Operation in #Puntland has achieved remarkable… pic.twitter.com/4DKMsbgSHs
— Abdalle Ahmed Mumin (@Cabdalleaxmed) January 16, 2025
The whispers allege that the Federal Government has clandestinely thrown a lifeline to militants hiding in the mountainous strongholds of Sanaag and Bari. News of supplies and tactical gear flying under cover of night to reach them raises eyebrows and ire.
Since the winds of March 2024 graced the coastal town of Maydh, whispers grew louder about 800 ISIS fighters making their covert journey through the heart of this striking landscape, a plan seemingly blessed by some within Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). But why the aid? The shadowy corridors of power whisper of Al-Shabaab defectors rising through the ranks, handpicked not for skill but for bloodlines.
The world watches as Hassan Sheikh orchestrates a shuffle—a strategic move of Al-Shabaab mercenaries from southern territories to disrupt the tranquility of Somali cities, where the echo of their arrival might stall Puntland’s rapid anti-terror campaigns.
Of course, no tale of intrigue would be complete without international elements. Arms, draped in the shroud of shadows and whispers, reportedly meander their way from Iran, their journey through Yemen facilitated by a clandestine coterie involving arms dealers and shady officials linked to Mogadishu’s administration.
Even drones, said to be of Iranian and Chinese craftsmanship, join this ensemble of unease.
These suspicions didn’t merely sprout from thin air. U.S. intelligence had already pieced together a puzzle of secret negotiations between the Houthis of Yemen and Somalia’s al-Shabaab in mid-2024. A tantalizing twist of diplomacy from Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, soon followed, his journey to Baghdad sparking further intrigue.
There, among hushed conversations with powerful minds of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a plea was made to stanch this flow of arms. Yet, here we sit, six months later, and Harghessa, elegant but inscrutable, remains silent.
The question looms large: is Hassan Sheikh’s heart heavy with the fear that Puntland’s budding democratic processes could outshine Mogadishu? With whispers that Puntland and North Western State of Somalia’s governance could become the shining beacons of future Somali discussions, Hassan Sheikh cannot afford to let such a reality blossom.
Amidst this geopolitical dance, another concern surfaces: a wave of humanity, streaming through Berbera from Ethiopia, draws attention. Each claim of seeking refuge from the Addis Ababa regime bears scrutiny, with fears that wolves may lurk among the sheep.
These fears intensified after the Dharjaalle ISIS attack on New Year’s Eve, where tragedy struck at a Puntland military base. Twelve foreigners perished, victims of a cunning web spun by ISIS, with souls from across the corners of Africa cut short.
The saga of foreign ties took another turn as Puntland forces exposed more veils of deception, uncovering the credentials of Mohamed Ahmed AlHawshani, a Saudi, nestled in these tumultuous lands, allegedly channeling funds to ISIS.
Breaking: Puntland’s eagle-eyed forces unearthed a Saudi passport linked to Mohamed Ahmed AlHawshani, suspected ISIS aide. Beside the passport lay an assortment of credit and debit cards—evidence of a carefully curated double life.
— Kaab TV Breaking News (@KaabTV_Breaking) January 16, 2025
In this chess game of powers and prowess, where shadows play on the walls of Somali geopolitics, only time will tell whose strategy will reign supreme. Report By Axadle.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
