The Hillaac “Thunder” Operation in Puntland has achieved remarkable success in less than a month since it was launched, marking a historic milestone in Somalia’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Security experts in the Horn of Africa have acknowledged this achievement.
However, Hassan Sheikh has reportedly turned his focus toward implementing a sinister plan aimed at undermining Puntland’s operations. A recently obtained document, which has undergone entirely our independent analysis, outlines the following:
– The FGS has allegedly authorized and provided assistance to Al-Shabaab and ISIS fighters hiding in the mountains of Sanaag and Bari.
– This support reportedly includes facilitating the transfer of supplies and equipment required by the militants.
– Since March 2024, around 800 ISIS fighters reportedly crossed from the Maydh, a coastal town in Sanaag region, with the involvement of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency. (NISA) has been overwhelmingly infiltrated by Al-Shabaab defectors and many of them were promoted to senior positions due to their clan affiliation.
– According to the intelligence report, Hassan Sheikh has allowed Al-Shabaab fighters in southern Somalia to move toward Puntland to disrupt the security of its cities, exploiting Puntland’s preoccupation with operations in the mountainous region of Bari.
– Both Al-Shabaab and ISIS received weapons originating from Iran via Yemen. This transfer involved arms dealers, businessmen, and government officials linked to Hassan Sheikh’s administration. The militants have also acquired drones of Iranian and Chinese origin.
– This was after the U.S. intelligence community has learned of discussions between Houthis in Yemen to provide weapons to the Somali militant group al-Shabaab in June 2024.
– Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre (a known member of the Muslim Brotherhood) visited the capital of Iraq Baghdad, in July 2024 with the accompanying of Hassan Sheikh’s national security adviser, Hussein Sheikh Ali (the brother to the current Minister of Justice Hassan Moalim also another member of the Muslim Brotherhood). While in Baghdad, Hamza met with the Iranian IRGC to ask their help in stopping Houthis’ weapons supply to the militant group. But for more than six months now, the Mogadishu remained silent and failed to take action to stop the weapons reaching the militants.
– Hassan Sheikh’s primary concern is that if Puntland succeeds in eradicating terrorism and has already established a one-person, one-vote electoral process, it could signify the failure of Mogadishu’s political leadership. This could lead to future discussions about Somalia’s governance being centered on Puntland and Somaliland, which are stable and governed through democratic processes.
– To prevent this impending reality, Hassan Sheikh is reportedly making concerted efforts to halt Puntland’s progress.
– Concerns have also been raised about the influx of people coming through Berbera from Ethiopia, many claiming to be fleeing the Addis Ababa regime. However, it is suspected that some among them could be affiliated with terrorist groups.
– These concerns have gained urgency following the Dharjaalle ISIS attack on 31 December 2024, where a suicide bombing at the Puntland army base killed 12 foreigners, including individuals from Ethiopia, Tunisia, Tanzania, Morocco, Algeria, and Comoros, as claimed by ISIS-affiliated platforms. Additionally, the influx of foreign militants in Somalia has been further exposed by the seizure of the documents of Mohamed Ahmed Al-Hawshani, a Saudi national, believed to be a financier of the Islamic State, who came through Egypt and Ethiopia before reaching the Bari Al-Miskad mountains.