Northeastern State Authorities Apprehend Notorious ISIS Figures Linked to Bosaso Extortion and Bomb Attacks
In the arid and turbulent terrains of Bosaso, a sense of tangible tension hangs in the air, not unlike the dust and whispers of the past conflicts that have dusted its streets. For some time now, this coastal city, esteemed for its commercial prowess, has found itself ensnared in the grip of militant groups, each more brazen than the next. Recently, however, a shift of sorts has begun to unfold.
As vividly as a scene from an action film, Northeastern State security forces have detained several individuals linked to the shadowy realm of ISIS. These suspects, laden with accusations of bombings and operating an extortion scheme masquerading as charity, have been caught at a critical juncture—a moment when Bosaso yearns for a reprieve from its captivating yet tumultuous narrative.
Colonel Abdiqadir Jama Dirir, an unyielding presence within the Bari regional police, recently stepped before the press, cutting a figure both weary and resolute. “These individuals,” he began, painting a picture of deceit at odds with the city’s storied resilience, “twisted the concept of ‘zakat’—a sacred act of charity—into an insidious tax. A tax exacted through threats and, ominously, violence upon those who dared refuse.”
The people, however, have not remained silent or stagnant. “The public is cooperating with security forces,” Dirir asserted, his voice imbued with a quiet pride, “aiding us in turning the tide of this relentless struggle. ISIS’s vice-like grip weakens by the day.”
This sudden flurry of arrests coincides with Operation Hilaac, a strategically initialized military venture unleashed in November 2024. Within the majestic, albeit foreboding, Al-Miskaad mountains, there lurk ISIS factions, long thought impregnable—until now. The Northeastern State government, breeding new energy into its counterterrorism tactics, is resolved to unravel not only ISIS but also the enmeshed networks of al-Shabaab.
On the international stage, the ripple effect of these efforts reverberates. The United States, with a vested interest in stabilizing this volatile corner of the world, launched airstrikes on February 1, 2025—a forceful reminder that these skirmishes echo far beyond African shores. Spearheaded by the U.S. Africa Command, these aerial bombardments obliterated key insurgent strongholds in the Golis Mountains, adding an exclamation point to Somalia’s own dogged endeavors.
Meanwhile, within the shifting sands of power and territory, Northeastern State has recaptured 250 square kilometers, dismantling 50 militant bastions in the process. A faint but palpable light flickers within the strategic core of Bosaso, a city long squeezed like a juiced lemon by ISIS’s vast financial thirst.
In a telling turn, businesses—once bound by an edict of fear—are drawing a bold line in the sand. Repudiating the group’s extortionist demands, they are eroding a crucial vein of ISIS’s financial lifeblood. This courageous defiance mirrors the shifting winds, the city’s beleaguered spirits now buoyed by the stirring of change.
Determination courses through the veins of Northeastern State’s government, echoing through its commitment to unyielding vigilance. These recent captures symbolize more than temporary triumphs; they herald a pivotal moment in the larger socioeconomic and security tapestry of Bosaso. And yet, as we embrace these narratives rich with change and challenge, we must not lose sight of Bosaso’s enduring resilience.
Is this yet another page in Bosaso’s storied saga, or the prologue to something transformative?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
