Saturday January 4, 2025
FILE - Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke
Mogadishu (HOL) — Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has urged the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to increase its political and security support to all Federal Member States (FMSs) in the fight against terrorism.
Taking to X on January 2, Sharmarke stated: "I wish to commend Puntland's forces for their determination to eliminate foreign/local ISIS fighters trying to establish permanent bases in that region. The FGS needs to show political & security support towards all Federal Member states in order to eradicate the menace of AL Shabaab and ISIS before 2025 ends."
The call for unity comes after Puntland security forces successfully thwarted an attempted ISIS attack, killing 12 foreign fighters. Despite the operation's success, the Federal Government has yet to issue a statement acknowledging Puntland's efforts, a silence that has further exposed lingering political tensions.
Several of the wounded were reportedly airlifted to Ethiopia for urgent treatment on Friday following a formal request for assistance to the Ethiopian government.
The rift between the federal government and Puntland stems from longstanding constitutional disputes, exacerbated by amendments made in December 2022 that Puntland has viewed as undermining its autonomy.
Critics have condemned the federal government's lack of recognition, arguing that such indifference erodes public confidence and raises doubts about its commitment to a national counter-terrorism strategy.
The former PM's comments also come as President Said Abdullahi Deni deploys thousands of soldiers to prepare for its largest counter-terrorism campaign, Operation Hillaac, targeting ISIS and Al-Shabaab militants entrenched in the rugged Al-Miskaad mountains of the Bari region.