Cirka News, In a troubling development, Al-Shabaab has released a video showing its fighters operating in the Golis Mountains of Somaliland’s SSC-occupied region. This marks the first reported appearance of Al-Shabaab militants in Somaliland’s northern territories.
The fighters in the video are seen communicating in dialects typically associated with southern and central Somalia, including the Maxaa Tiri dialect and Maay Maay, rather than the local northern Somali dialect. The group identifies itself as the (Liwa Al-Quds unit, lit. Jerusalem Brigade) further raising concerns about the growing presence of Al-Shabaab in regions previously considered relatively safe.
This development outlines the consequences of Mogadishu’s ongoing policies, which have contributed to instability and fragmentation across Somali regions. By failing to effectively address the growing influence of extremist groups, Mogadishu is not only allowing the spread of Al-Shabaab but also fostering division that is creating more disabled Somali regions, weakening the overall national security framework.
Security analysts have warned that if the video’s authenticity is confirmed, the situation could escalate rapidly. They stress that swift and effective action is necessary to contain the spread of Al-Shabaab’s influence in Somaliland (SSC, also known as Khatumo occupied portions), as its presence in the northern region could have severe and destabilizing consequences.
This comes following Somaliland sigjed memrundum of understanding with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on January 2024, Al-Shabaab recruited more young men from northern breakaway regions of Togdheer and Waqooyi Galbeed.
Source:// Cirka News