Somali Foreign Minister Criticizes Northeastern State for Declining Federal Aid in ISIS Fight
In the tumultuous landscapes of northeastern Somalia lies a story unfolding across ridges and political corridors, where Northeastern State authorities have long pinpointed a perceived apathy from the federal government in the contentious war against ISIS. Within the rugged peaks of the Cal Miskaad mountains in the Bari region, these militants have found refuge, launching audacious attacks against both the valiant Northeastern State security forces and the innocent communities nestled within.
Exasperation among Somali political notables amplifies each passing day. Criticism directed at the federal government’s security and governance strategies grows, particularly concerning the quixotic handling of counterterrorism in Northeastern State. Prominent voices such as former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo have boldly stepped into the fray. Their clarion calls resonate across the political spectrum, imploring Mogadishu to bolster its military and political commitments, not only within Northeastern State but extending that same vigilance to other Federal Member States (FMS).
Is it not perplexing that while discussions rage over operational neglect, broader grievances orbit the federal government? Centralization of power by Mogadishu has ruffled feathers far and wide. Long before the buds of 2025 could blossom in January, figures like former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, MP Abdirahman Abdishakur, and Senator Abdi Ismail Samatar stood unified. Together, they condemned the unilateral push for electoral reforms. A pursuit towards a one-person, one-vote manifesto, if enforced without a sacred national consensus, risks deepening rifts, further tethering ties between Mogadishu and its regional kin.
To understand this dispute is to appreciate its depth. The chasms between Northeastern State and the federal government widen as political and security differences burgeon. A notable flashpoint ignited in April 2024 when Northeastern State defiantly declared autonomy from Mogadishu’s jurisdiction—a bold proclamation contingent upon constitutional revision and ratification via national referendum. A perceived encroachment on its sovereignty invigorated Northeastern State to distance itself, relentlessly pursuing a policy of divergence from Mogadishu’s shadow.
Amidst this sovereignty saga lies the ongoing Operation Hilaac. Since November 2024, Northeastern State’s forces have executed formidable campaigns against ISIS, reclaiming lost ground, dismantling 50 militant strongholds, and rounding up pivotal ISIS operatives inflicting havoc in Bosaso. Yet, despite these victories, there lingers an indelible sentiment—Northeastern State’s officials express frustration over inadequate federal military provisions, including pivotal arms and munitions for ISIS confrontations.
The federal government, however, does not remain passive in this clamor. A candid rebuff addresses Northeastern State’s accusations, asserting steadfast support for security endeavors across the nation. Their dispute extends beyond Infighting—a broader economic and governance stalemate muddies waters further. December 2024 showcased Northeastern State’s bold pronouncement, unveiling plans for a regional currency by 2025, a response to economic turbulence and dissatisfaction with the Somali shilling’s capricious swings.
Moreover, the clash over petroleum asset management encapsulates contrasting ideologies. With Northeastern State repudiating federal claims on oil exploration rights, an October 2024 row saw Northeastern State resisting allegations of hindering federal oil regulation ambitions. Their stance, they argue, aligns with aspirations for transparent resource stewardship underpinned by Somali unity.
Deni, the pivotal Northeastern State figure, has remained reticent on remarks from governmental spokespeople like Fiqi. Perhaps there’s a tactical play here, a careful dance amid veritable mines of federal and regional security schisms. This lack of operational harmony harbors potential pitfalls—security think tanks echo warnings that fragmentary counterterrorism could unwittingly provide militants an unintentional, yet fertile, terrain for expansion.
ISIS’s narrative is distinguished from the al-Shabab insurgency, yet the friction persists. Sporadic brushes with Northeastern State troops and al-Shabab underscore a chaotic theater. Within the labyrinthine mountains of Bari, ISIS-affiliated fighters navigate harsh terrains, waging a war against time and Northeastern State’s resolve. Their allegiance, sworn in 2015, burns brightly despite relentless regional force offensives. Unlike their southern insurgent kin, the ISIS faction’s foothold in the Al Miskaad mountains serves as a launching pad for attacks on Northeastern State security and financial extortion of local enterprises.
As Northeastern State forges ahead, wrestling with insurgency amid a backdrop of political isolation and economic ambitions, the region’s narrative remains vibrant, ever-evolving, and intricately intertwined with Somalia’s quest for stability.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
