Northeastern State Religious Leaders Urge Unity in the Battle Against ISIS in the Al-Miskaat Mountains

Garowe (AX) – In the heart of Northeastern State, religious leaders are raising a resonant call for unity among communities, urging them to rally behind the military efforts against ISIS insurgents entrenched in the rugged Al-Miskaat Mountains of the Bari region. The clerics passionately advocate for both financial and moral backing to fortify the Northeastern State of Somalia Army’s resolve and bolster their strength against an elusive adversary.

Reflecting on a recent sermon, Sheikh Mohamud Haji Yusuf spoke fervently about the pivotal role of collective action in toppling ISIS. He underscored the crucial importance of clan support—not just in spirit but in tangible resources and collaborative efforts. “Unity is not a mere option; it’s a necessity,” said Sheikh Yusuf with a palpable sense of urgency. “Together, and with divine aid, we can prevail. The suffering these militants have inflicted is immeasurable, and it demands our unified response.”

In the bustling port city of Bosaso, Sheikh Ali Maah, a notable religious leader, echoed this call for solidarity. He expressed concern over the infiltration by foreign fighters within ISIS ranks and stressed the need for vigilant scrutiny over the border entry points. “Foreigners fleeing judgment in their homelands have found refuge here,” he remarked gravely. “It is imperative for the public to align with Northeastern State forces to root them out.”

While ISIS’s presence in Somalia might seem diminutive—estimated between 700 and 1,500 fighters hiding within Northeastern State’s stony terrain—its strategic significance has grown over time. Compared to the notorious al Shabaab, which wields control over vast southern and central expanses of Somalia, ISIS’s shadow may be smaller, but its connections are frighteningly global. Analysts speculate that this faction plays an increasingly critical role in ISIS’s international mosaic.

Intriguingly, certain reports swirled last year suggesting that Abdulqadir Mumin, thought to be leading ISIS in the region, had ascended to become a global leader within the organization. Such claims—drawn from whispers in the corridors of power by U.S. officials—remain unconfirmed by ISIS itself. It leaves one pondering the true depths of this militant network’s pervasion.

The call from Northeastern State’s religious leaders illuminates an ongoing struggle—a society caught in the crucible between peace and chaos, grappling with the dual demons of fear and hope. How might their appeals galvanize the hearts and minds of the people? Such questions linger, echoing like a muted but persistent drumbeat in the spaces between their sermons.

“When fighting these men, we must unite, and with God’s help, we will defeat them,” said Sheikh Yusuf, his words carrying a haunting urgency that finds resonance across the dusty plains and into the hills.

These exhortations for unity and vigilance are not mere words— they are lifelines cast into troubled waters, seeking to draw together the fibers of a nation frayed by conflict. The peaceful pulse of daily life continues to beat in Northeastern State, yet under this tranquil façade lies a fierce undercurrent of resolve. The clerics’ plea is simple yet profound: to weave the diverse threads of community into a robust tapestry of resistance against those who threaten to unravel the very fabric of their world.

As the debate over the extent and influence of ISIS in Somalia lingers, the determination of Northeastern State’s people—bolstered by their spiritual stewards—offers a beacon against encroaching darkness. In times as uncertain as these, the leaders’ voices, resonant with wisdom and faith, strive to echo across the land, fostering a landscape not of division, but of shared purpose and renewed commitment to a peaceful existence.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring