GAROWE (KAAB TV) – The authorities of the Somali region of Puntland this week banned the illegal entry of foreigners and ordered telecommunication companies to remove SIM cards linked to illegal immigrants. and ISIS terrorists.
The move is an attempt to disrupt the economic networks of the Islamic State as the army continues its offensive against IS fighters hiding in the region.
Puntland government forces have recently started military operations against Daesh in the mountains of Alimiskaad and Aal-Daw in the eastern region of Puntland. The security forces took over the camps and defense positions and pushed the fighters further into the mountains.
The security forces have also launched operations to arrest illegal immigrants in Puntland areas. According to local reports, the authorities have arrested more than 300 people.
The Puntland Ministry of Interior has issued an order to prohibit the sale of SIM-cards to unauthorized persons, and to prohibit them from opening financial accounts without identification.
Abdirahman Yusuf Farah, the former Puntland security chief, said that the security agencies will not violate people’s rights when they are looking for members and supporters of Daesh, and at the same time anyone who legally entered Puntland areas, will be respected.
The International Crisis Group, in a report issued in December, said that the branch of the Islamic State in Somalia is influencing the dispersion of funds to finance terrorism in other parts of Africa.
This group extorts money from civilians and businessmen to fund their operations, and sends money to other IS-affiliated groups.
Omar Mahmood, a senior researcher at the International Crisis Group, said the threat from IS continues to grow.
“It is not only about the Islamic State of Puntland or Somalia itself, but the group there serves as a link between the Islamist groups connected to other parts of Africa – East Africa, Southern Africa, “Mohamud said, “They report to Islam. The state of Puntland, and that serves as a link between the core of the Islamic State and other followers outside the continent.
Mohamud said that Puntland is trying to prevent IS in the international banking system.
“The group has concentrated on developing its economic power, whether it is extortion in Bosaso or to transfer it abroad,” he said. Using their official system, whether it’s banking or telecommunications, to make it difficult for the group to continue, one, financially, and two, and then send that money outside of Puntland.”
Puntland is relatively peaceful compared to southern Somalia, but local officials have expressed concern about the growing power of Islamic State, fueled by foreign fighters. The administration is seeking international financial and military assistance, including air support.