Minister Adala Claims Northeastern State is Hindering the Deployment of the National Army in the Galgala Mountains

Mogadishu (AX) – In a recent development, the Deputy Minister of Information of Somalia, Abdirahman Yusuf Adala, has thrown shade at Northeastern State, alleging that the region is playing hardball against forming a cohesive national army to work throughout Somalia.

Adala highlighted that Northeastern State has stonewalled attempts to recruit soldiers from its turf, turning a blind eye to federal initiatives aimed at stationing troops in its areas.

“Northeastern State has given the cold shoulder to army brigades designated for duty in the 54th region and nearby zones,” Adala declared. “The federal government cooked up troops for operations in the Galgala mountains, but Northeastern State wasn’t having any of it.”

Adala also mentioned the federal government is keen to sit down with Northeastern State for heart-to-heart talks to resolve ongoing issues.

These claims sprouted just after Northeastern State’s President, Said Abdullahi Deni, shared his two cents, asserting his administration has been tackling al-Shabab and the Islamic State (IS) solo, minus proper backup from the federal government.

Just last month, the International Crisis Group highlighted that IS in Somalia had morphed into a key cash cow for terror funding, though IS hasn’t been kicking it as hard on the battlefield as al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab.

IS-Somalia is believed to have between 100 and 400 fighters roving the northern part of the nation, with a good half possibly hailing from foreign lands. Earlier this year, Northeastern State nabbed half a dozen IS members, identified as Moroccans, and sent them packing.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring