GAROWE, Somalia Apr 11 2012 (Garowe Online) - Puntland President Dr.Abdirahman Mohamed Farole says Al Shabaab insurgents have been infiltrating the Golis Mountain range in north eastern Somalia, Radio Garowe reports.
President Farole who spoke to BBC Somali, on Tuesday said that the terrorist organization Al Shabaab have been infiltrating Puntland through land and sea heading to the Golis Mountain range after classifying it as a strategic area.
"After exiting Mogadishu last August, Al Shabaab's top officials and foot-soldiers have been entering the Golis mountain range by land and sea. We received information that Al Shabaab agents have been traveling in Yemeni made speedboats," said President Farole.
President Farole said that a top assassin for the Al Shabaab was spotted in Las'anod and their has been no efforts to help apprehend him. Adding that Al Shabaab agents frequently take advantage of unsecured areas in Sool and Sanaag to reach the Golis Mountain Range located in Bari and Sanaag regions.
Al Shabaab agents have also been infiltrating Puntland through the main highway connecting most major cities in Somalia. Al Shabaab agents operating in south central Somalia fled their major strongholds such as Baidoa and Beledweyne earlier this year and some were reported traveling north through Galkayo and Garowe. Authorities in Garowe on Sunday apprehended persons which have been suspected of belonging Al Shabaab.
President Farole was asked if he could repel the insurgency without help from neighboring countries. Answering that the Puntland military was successful in the Galgala campaign in August 2010 which flattened the insurgency which at the time was not officially linked to Al Shabaab. "If we need military assistance then we will request it but I am confident that our military will suppress the insurgency," said President Farole.
GAROWE ONLINE
