JidbaalePuntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has reportedly rejected an offer of military and logistical support from Somalia’s federal government to bolster efforts against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in the northeastern region, according to a statement made by Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi on Friday.
Fiqi added that Mogadishu has offered giving firearms, medical help, and military supplies to support Puntland’s counterterrorism operations. He asserted that Deni declined the assistance, obstructing all attempts at collaboration.
Fiqi stated during a press briefing that “the Somali government reached out to Puntland, proposing medical evacuations for the injured and supplementary military reinforcements; however, President Deni unequivocally rejected the offer.” “Despite numerous attempts to implement a collaborative strategy, each effort has been obstructed.”
Puntland officials have repeatedly charged the federal government with ignoring the battle against ISIS, contending that Mogadishu has intentionally disengaged from security operations in the Cal Miskaad highlands of the Bari area. The harsh landscape has enabled ISIS fighters to establish strongholds, conducting assaults on Puntland security forces and local populations.
Somali political leaders have progressively condemned the federal government’s management of security collaboration and governance, especially regarding Puntland’s battle against ISIS. Former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo have publicly called on Mogadishu to provide greater military and political support to Puntland and other Federal Member States (FMS) in counterterrorism activities.
Their concerns align with broader frustrations about the federal government’s consolidation of power. In January 2025, former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, MP Abdirahman Abdishakur, and Senator Abdi Ismail Samatar charged the federal government with unilaterally advancing electoral reforms without enough engagement with regional administrations. They warned that establishing a one-person, one-vote system without a national consensus could intensify political tensions, thereby straining relations between Mogadishu and regional governments.
The conflict highlights the enduring political and security difficulties between Puntland and the federal authority. In April 2024, Puntland announced its intention to function autonomously from Mogadishu until Somalia’s constitution is amended and adopted by a nationwide referendum. The area accused the federal government of undermining its autonomy and has subsequently implemented policies that remove it from Mogadishu’s authority.
Puntland’s rejection of federal help also comes despite its continuing military assault, Operation Hilaac, against ISIS fighters ensconced in the Al Miskaad mountains of the Bari region. Since November 2024, Puntland forces have recaptured nearly 250 square kilometers of terrain, demolished 50 militant strongholds, and detained major ISIS operators involved for extortion and attacks in Bosaso.
Despite these achievements, Puntland officials have accused the federal government of neglecting to give essential military support, including guns and ammunition, to forces against ISIS.
Mogadishu has firmly pushed back against Puntland’s assertions, noting that the federal government has continuously backed security measures across all regions. In a statement, the federal government refuted the allegation that it had neglected Puntland’s counterterrorism activities and instead accused Deni’s administration of impeding federal initiatives.
Beyond security cooperation, Puntland and the federal administration have fought over economic and governance issues. In December 2024, Puntland announced plans to launch its own regional currency by 2025, citing economic concerns and discontent with the Somali shilling’s instability.
The two sides have also clashed horns over resource control, with Puntland rejecting federal claims over oil development rights. In October 2024, Puntland disputed claims that it was blocking federal efforts to manage oil riches, claiming that it was committed to a transparent resource-sharing structure that respects Somalia’s unity.
Deni has not publicly responded on Fiqi’s remarks, but Puntland has generally been cautious of federal meddling in regional security affairs. The lack of coordination between Somalia’s federal and regional troops has prompted concerns among security experts, who fear that fragmentation in counterterrorism measures could allow extremist organizations to increase their foothold in the region.
ISIS operates separately from the al-Shabab insurgency but has engaged in sporadic skirmishes with both Puntland soldiers and al-Shabab fighters.
Puntland, in northeastern Somalia, has been battling ISIS-affiliated fighters in the rugged terrain of Bari for several years. The ISIS faction in Puntland, which declared allegiance to the group in 2015, has remained active despite multiple offensives by regional forces. Unlike al-Shabab, which is predominantly active in central and southern Somalia, the ISIS unit in Puntland has built a base in the Al Miskaad mountains, where it has launched occasional attacks on Puntland security forces and extorted local businesses.
