Originally posted by Xudeedi: Why did the fortress fall? Ever since Cadde’s defeat, the SSDF clan inclusively generated a great deal of effort in conveying and propagating a negative reputation about Atam in order to rally for an international support. They said he was a terrorist, they said he was a hypocrite, they said he had foreigners; they said he was extremely powerful. Pity how they used the UN Monitoring group’s report, the same report that declared Faroole and Ilka Jiir as pirates, to back their accusations. Actually it was Atam himself that called the terrorist organization Al Shabaab his brothers and that they are us and we are them! We didn’t say anything, the UN Security report meant nothing as well, because no one was ever investigated. But when the man himself went on and said this, everything changed. That is why you see people in Eastern Sanaag and Western Bari supporting Puntland, and why Ilka-Jiir and others can safely travel in the area's that were once under Atam's control. I will never stop bringing up that Pal Talk interview, no matter how much you want to avoid talking about it in hopes of people forgetting. It finally revealed what everyone already knew! That at the very least he does not condemn Al Shabaab for their murderous beliefs. No matter what, peace has come to Eastern Sanaag and Western Bari. The Puntland government has shown it's diversity by allowing leaders from all regions to participate! P.S it's funny that the Maakhir Diaspora speaks negative about former Puntland President Cade Muse and Atam ordeal, yet in the VOA interview with Atam, he said something along the lines of "We fought Cade's admin for 4 years, regardless of his motives. When there was a problem arising between us, he would find ways to solve it; we have waited 1 year for Faroole to address it (our problems)." I think this quote from Atam show's how out of touch some radical Maakhir Diaspora members are!

Africanown, "They" are not doing this, it's a small number of their Diaspora who are. It's common throughout the world, the diaspora is usually the most militant and irrational. My take on what is going on is that Puntland Vice-President Abdisamad, and Interior Minister Ilka-Jiir are the ones in military uniforms and who are touring the battle grounds, to me that shows that this is not an operation conducted by one group. This coupled with the elections that allowed all to run, I believe it shows that Puntland is truly inclusive. There is still a lot of work. Admit it, it's impressive that Puntland is capable of carrying out these operations and how they have involved leaders from all over the state.

I must commend Faroole for how he is handling this. Many tried and are still trying to make this into some kind of a tribal issue. They want it to be "SSDF" (which we know what this really refers to) vs. another group. However their strategy has fallen short of it's goal - because the people spearheading this campaign to liberate the people of Eastern Sanaag and Western Bari are both men from Sool and Sanaag respectively. They are not members of the so called “SSDF!” By taking a back seat and letting these two men put on their military uniforms and conduct military operations, many are forced to shut their mouths about this whole tribal conspiracy theory. Of course we have the likes of Nassir, Xudeedi (both of whom are very quiet since Atams defeat) and other hard-line Maakhir Diaspora members, who will never admit it, but any rational person would know that if these two men and their fighters are engaged in this conflict it can’t be just one tribe vs. another. Faroole has demonstrated some good political skill by sending these two men to Bosasso to deal with this problem and by staying in Garowe. I believe this is one of the reasons that the majority of Eastern Sanaag’s public is on Puntlands side and have not been caught up by Atam and Eastern Sanaag’s Diaspora’s goal of making this into a tribal issue. Well done Puntland government.

Originally posted by Xudeedi: ^ Adeer Ilka Jiir will be held accountable for his actions. This is a clan war and i wish for it to be suspended. Again a rubbish statement! If this was a clan war as you want us to believe, it would be on a much larger scale. Maakhir is not coming to Mr. Atam's defense.The most powerful politician from this area is on the Puntland governments side and you said last time he would be held accountable and he never was, but in fact it is Atam being held accountable for siding with Al Shabaab. You are hoping dearly that this does become a clan thing and that Atam will get back up, but he is not worthy of support, there are many Reer Maakhir in Bosasso and they are silent, because unlike you they know he is criminal.

The secessionists are happy today! Yet they do not realize that Puntland is coming of age right now. Mr. Atam has unified the state like never before. You see one of the men in charge of the battle is himself from the region where the criminals are held up and he is trying to liberate his people. Puntland is receiving a great deal of aid from nations that don't want Mr. Atam's ragged men to succeed. We have security forces from every corner including Maakhir participating in the defeat of this man! I am unsure why you are celebrating, what is taking place is solid proof that Puntland has security forces that can launch attacks against armed groups that hide in mountains.

Horseednet There is no doubt who Ilka-Jiir is siding with and it's definitely not Mr. Atam and his "brothers" Al Shabaab.

Well if you see the time I posted it was before anyone else. I am hearing it is in and around Gagala.

It already started!

Just got a call from Somalia saying there has been another flare up!

Originally posted by Nassir: I know at times myths influence the laymen into a frenzied state of mind as it goes "Makhiris migrated their homeland of Erigavo only to establish themselves in Bari region and that they are here to overtake us soon unless we force them back to their origin". Rubbish and nonsense. I have been to Bosasso many times. I saw first hand that absolutely no one has a right over it. There are no native territories for one particular group as you want people to believe. I see the biggest business being controlled by tribes that may not be as well known outside of Puntland. The best hotels, like the International Village, Juba Hotel (to name a couple). There are many people from every corner of Somalia that have a right to live in Bosasso and have done so for centuries. This is why you only saw children and young teens protesting in a small area like Dhahar and none inside Bosasso. There was no one upset at the defeat the Puntland government handed to Mr. Atam. So stop with the nonsense that Bosasso is in someway native to one specific group. Because just like a big city like Gaalkayo is shared, so is Bosasso. From what I saw the city welcomes everyone. If every person from Maakhir wanted to settle in Bari then they have every right to, just like all Somalis do and it wouldn’t bother me. I agree that Mr. Atam's ambitions’ in Gagala is nothing I can stop; we will have to see what the international community thinks of his audio tape where he aligns with Al Shabaab. I know the PIS will present it as evidence! You called Ilka-Jiir a heavyweight politician and what I am saying is that the man is incapable of setting foot anywhere outside of Eastern Sanaag. You can say what you want about Erigavo, but for the time being one flag fly's there. Which you have no say on! There is another admin that controls that part of Sanaag, which is why when Cade Muse fought Abdullahi Yusuf back in 2003, he tried to find allies in Eastern Sanaag and was turned down. So he simply went west and founded a base in El Afweyn, Sanaag where Abdullahi Yusuf or anyone from Eastern Sanaag could not enter because another admin controlled it. You can claim that secessionists say this, but it is the truth, Sanaag is not unified as you want people to believe. P.S...Seriously, the VOA interview with Atam means NOTHING. He already said what he said on Pal Talk, he already called a group that is on many countries terrorist lists his brothers and that they are us and we are them! He tried to change what he said the next day, but it is too late his secret got out! Other Puntland religious leaders have condemned the group. He has never!

What Atam said on VOA was damage control, because the day before he called Al Shabaab his brothers and that "they are us, and we are them." He had TFG ministers and other people defending him, but after he aligns himself with Al Shabaab he lost their support so he back tracked. Stop trying to erase that interview from people’s memory. It was clearly his voice. Right now people are being arrested in the U.S for supporting that terrorist group, they can't back track from their actions and words, and neither can Mr. Atam no matter how many interviews they do. What he said was clear and he can go on 1000 websites and try and say something different, it's too late. If there is no such thing as Eastern Sanaag, then you tell Ilka-Jiir to go to Erigavo (the city he was born in) and tell me what happens. When he came back to Puntland from the U.S he stayed in the eastern part of Sanaag to campaign, he never went to other areas in Sanaag! Maakhir borders were only in the Eastern Part of Sanaag as well!!! The eastern part of Sanaag is where most of the piracy in Sanaag occurs, attempted kidnappings, and the hijackers of the plane wanted the pilots too land.

Originally posted by Nassir: Many from the region such as Elders and politicians are wary of the possibility that should the first bullet is fired, it might develop into a full scale civil/ethnic war. Bullets have already been fired and the people did not come running to this criminal Atam's defense. Because once he exposed his beliefs about Al Shabaab and his desire to bring another form of government, everyone remained quiet. There are many people from Eastern Sanaag that live in Bosasso who support the Puntland government, include Ilka-Jiir! If or should I say when Atam is attacked again, the people will support Puntland's government just like they did now. The problem is that he is hiding in a mountainous area that generates many difficulties in attacking.

Originally posted by NGONGE: ), the Galgala clan were waving that flag like a Kanaan on speed and PL was viewed as one of the few peaceful (and organized) regions of Somalia. The Diaspora Gagala group had left Puntland 2 years ago claiming unfairness from the previous admin. What they are saying about Faroole is nothing compared to what they were crying about the previous admin. Yet, they came back and almost won the presidency. Now they are complaining about this admin. Which they only started after the admin began doing something about the threat of Mr. Atam poses. They refuse to condemn the criminals that reside in their areas and the lawlessness. They use the UN Security report as a way to attack Faroole and accuse him of being a pirate, but that same report clearly mentions Mr. Atam and Diaspora returnee Ilka-Jiir criminal activity (who they remain silent on criticizing). Their Diaspora has a history of complaining and causing instability, focusing less on developing their region and too much on complaining about their perceived injustices.

Originally posted by General Duke: I think the self flagellation must stop. The PIS gets support from the US government which many of us call home. Al Shabaab gets support from a network with its HQ in a cave and one that can not offer a single Somali an assalym. There is no comparison and this group should be expanded to defend the interest of the state.. Once Al Shabaab is gone, then lets change things, but for now, the PIS are defending the state. Exactly! People want to address a security service before we address the criminals that the security services are fighting. There is no way Faroole can even address the PIS when he has to deal with an armed group hiding in the mountains. Mr. Atam called Al Shabaab his brothers, and that "we are them and they are us", Al Shabaab admits to caring out suicide bombings and other targeted attacks. Yet people want to focus on the security services because they get funding from the U.S??? The U.S gives more foreign aid then any other country in the world. It has given safe haven to approx 150,000 of us! So now there is a problem that they are helping the PIS? It's as if whatever government or security agency is formed we will have people that will attack it. They will criticize it more then they do terrorist organizations. Focus on Mr. Atam in the mountains then we will focus on the P.I.S! If we start changing them before Atam is dealt with, we will be vulnerable to attack. Which I suspect some here want!

What are the PIS’s real accomplishments? I believe if anyone has travelled to Puntland recently, they would see exactly what the PIS's accomplishments are (I left back in Jan 2009). They really came to life and proved their worth back in 2006, when the Islamic Courts Union was threatening to take over Gaalkayo. They were able to keep the peace even after Puntlands resources both financial and military were going to the TFG, if you look at the suicide bombings and other attacks they handled it well. I believe they have done a good job. Puntland is under attack, there is no doubt about that, even back in the earlier 90s it was under threat and things haven't changed. I definitely think that there should be changes to it and that the best person should get the job regardless of where they come from! But with Mr. Atam calling Al Shabaab his brothers and the whole we are one in the same bit he said, the PIS will only get stronger and nothing will change. Mr. Atam actions and words are justifying keeping the PIS the way they are and in fact make them stronger. So if people want change to the PIS, then you have to look at what they are fighting and address that. What Mr. Atam said on PalTalk was criminal, yet no one from his region wants to condemn him or anyone else from who hails from there. Instead they claim Paltalk is not good, even though it was the man's voice on it. If he said what he did in any western country and in those exact words, he'd have been arrested in a second. But back to the PIS, like I said it should be changed up, even if the new leader was a Somali from outside of Puntland; but the road to that happening has taken a big curve because of Atam. The truth can't be concealed, other Puntland religious leaders have condemned Al Shabaab, yet he called them his brothers!

Xudeedi, Please, I was the first Puntlander that criticized Faroole when he named his son as advisor, or when his son met pirates and posted the info. I was the one that posted the article about the UN Report as well. Ilka-Jiir admitted to lobbying to get pirates from his region released from a foreign government. So he got criticized to. The government was hurting, but thanks to Atam and his pal talk interview, he has brought them and the PIS a lot more help! I am against you and Nassir's hypocrisy where you are against the term Eastern Sanaag, but then you use the term Western Bari. Even in that article that tried to attack the UN Report, you guys also had an issue with the term Eastern Sanaag, and said it was a NW Somalia term. But then you guys turn around and say Western Bari to describe Gagala. I personally have no issue with putting Western or Eastern in front of regions, but you guys do when it comes to Sanaag, but no issue with Bari. Are you serious? Also, you say that Ilka-Jiir is "risks" being portrayed as a traitor! See you have not yet called him that and are holding out as long as you can, but with Faroole you have already attacked him and labeled him. Come on, if Ilka-Jiir is the Minister of Interior and is under Faroole's pay roll, then he is the same! But of course you want to put him in a better light!

Peacea Action, Don't bother trying to convince these guys. It will never happen, their hatred for Puntland will not allow them to reason. Ngonge, I just want you to do a little experiment, I want you to form an organization in London. Then I want you to choose a group that is on banned list, (maybe Al Shab), and say that the group on that list is your brothers and that "they are us, and we are them." After that try and explain what you mean in the same context which you think Atam meant his i.e. the bigger picture etc etc. Then tell me how the authorties respond to that! Xudeedi, It's funny how some are bashing Faroole but not all his admin, (before it was Cade and his whole admin). But now to attack the current admin would mean that the minister of interior who is from Maakhir and carries out Faroole's policies would also be be attacked. It's as if he is protected from being criticized. Most people would consider a person a traitor if they work for a government that they say is corrupt! But not Xudeedi and Nassir, everything is wrong with Puntland, but not the heavy weight politician Ilka-Jiir!

I agree and if you see a heavyweight politician (As Nassir calls him) from Maakhir Ilka-Jiir who is Puntland Minister of Interior participated in the August 1st celebrations yesterday. Despite being from the same area as Mr. Atam, he supports Puntland and has denounced him!

Ngonge said this: SOL In admitting to be a member of Al Shabab he said something along the lines of "We are Al Shabab and Al Shabab are us". You consider this a clear and unambiguous admittance but I think it is still a vague statement (when one considers the question he was being asked or the way they led up to the question). The man's position seemed to be that all "Mujahideen" are the same. The key to it is "I think", which means it's his opinion. So, what I am saying is that others may have another opinion on it. I personally think if you say a group is your brothers and that we are them and they are you, it is pretty clear! But again, others will interpret it themselves! Regardless, this article on Dhahar tries to hide the interview by making no mention of it. Which is unacceptable!

You know Karl, Ngonge, you Nassir and others that have issues with Puntland. You try and change his words. This is why I am not trying to convince you! All I am saying is that the man said this: in al-Shabaab ay iyaga yihiin Iyaguna al-Shabaab yihiin <-- this is exactly what the man said! This translates into "We are Al-Shabaab and Al Shabaab is us"! So you can try and avoid that direct quote which came out of his mouth and try and interpret what he really meant. But remember this, the international community and their security agencies will have to interpret the quote for themselves and if you think they will give such a sugar quoted opinion on it, please think again! Plus, I heard when he said that Al Shabaab is his brothers, so my question is, do you think by him saying this it is not a declaration of solidarity with a group that is on many western nations terrorist list and he won't be grouped with them??? You know if a organization has been placed on the terrorist list and someone comes out and says that the group on the list is their brothers....then they can expect to be put on that list as well! (and dont say he calling all muslim groups his brothers, because their are many in Somalia and the world that have denounced Al Shabaab, however he has not!) Sometimes I wonder what goes through people’s heads, because it's one thing to have an opinion on something. But it's another to try and pretend something doesn't exist. Just like this article on Dhahar, which tries to never mention such a damaging interview, you would think they would address it and try and interpret it in a positive light. But instead they make no mention; I believe this is because it's obvious they know the words he used are just to damning.

Of course the article never mentions once that Mr. Atam went on air right after the battle and said he was Al Shabaab, a terrorist group that has been banned by many countries. The declaration he made of solidarity with them would have him arrested in any country. Either way, the article should at least address the interview. You can be assured though that the international community is aware of his interview! So please Nassir, you can try and hope people will forget about the interview where Atam pledge his allegiance to Al Shabaab, but we won't! You can be assured that the Puntland government gave a copy to all their foreign allies. Who will in turn make their own conclusion when the man says "We are Al Shabaab and Al Shabaab is us." Good article, but it should not try and sweep under the rug the damaging Pal Talk interview Atam did the day after the battle took place.

JB's post is something he made up, if it isn't then show us a source!

Nassir, no one can say what Mr. Atam ment, Ngonge and others were only giving their own opinion. When someone aligns themselves with Al Shabaab, you cannot interpret the words positively or sugar coat them. You need to take them seriously! Many western countries have deemed Al Shabaab a terrorist organization (rightfully so). So any one that says "We are Al Shabaab, and Al Shabaab is Us". Must be considered a threat as well! Either way, the audio is there for people to listen to and let them form their own opinion. I personally feel that it clearly shows Mr. Atam's allegiance.

.....and after Atam's declaration of unity with Al Shabaab, expect a lot more funding to come to the PIS! All they have to do is take that audio recording and say listen to this!

I wonder if Riyaale is behind this in some way??