Puntland launches new raid on Al-Qaeda-linked militia (AFP) – 22 hours ago MOGADISHU — Security forces from the Somali breakaway state of Puntland launched Sunday a fresh raid against an Al-Qaeda-linked militia, leaving at least seven people dead, officials and witnesses said. The attack comes nearly two weeks after a similar deadly offensive targeting the group of several hundred fighters led by local warlord Mohamed Said Atom, who is on a UN Security Council watchlist. Puntland Security Minister Yusuf Ahmed Qeyr proclaimed victory over the militia in the raid in the Sanaag region, which is on the mountainous frontier between Puntland and Somaliland, another autonomous region. "We have attacked their bases and took control of their barracks. Our forces are now in full control of the Galgala Mountains and the enemy fled the area suffering heavy losses," Qeyr told reporters. "We have killed more than 10 of them and took several of them as prisoners," he said, adding that there was a casualty toll on the Puntland side but that it was "not a heavy one". Residents confirmed that there had been fighting for around four hours, causing casualties on both sides. "We have seen seven combatants from the two sides who were killed in the fighting but it is not yet clear who is fully controlling the contested areas," said Mohamed Bashir, an elder. Another resident, Said Hussein, also said seven people were killed. A senior medic at the Bossasso hospital said that 15 injured Puntland soldiers were admitted and that one had died of his injuries. Puntland forces launched their first attack on Mohamed Said Atom's forces on July 26. The warlord has been singled out by the UN Security Council for violating an arms embargo and is believed to be a key supplier of arms to the Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab group that controls much of the rest of Somalia. Puntland officials said the remote mountains risked becoming an ideal hide-out for Somalia's growing Shebab-hosted contingent of foreign jihadis, akin to Afghanistan's Tora Bora mountains.

What is wrong with SLanders? Why do they see every victory achieved by Puntland as a threat to them. Adeerayaal this was a good cause for all. The annihilation and defeat of the terror groups by Puntland authority Yesterday sends a clear signal and a good example to every suicide maniac that any such rebellion and terror compaign would not be tolerated in any part of the Northern regions of Somalia. No room, save haven or hideout for Alshabaab at all in the North no matter how mountenous or difficult the environment may be.

Waar ilaahay kabaqa. Somalia is a Muslim state, the people of Somalia are 100% Muslim, there should not be tolerated any other form of religion and that Islam should unwaveringly be the superior of all religions and must be the fundemental core and basic structure of any policy making or government. That does not necessarily mean that all people should be forced to submit to a form of Alshabaab government. All Somalis, young or old, those stayed in the diaspora for short or long, those in Somalia or outside, all or at least majority of them are culturally strong community, politically coservative, and religiously Islamic and practising compared to the rest of Muslim world, thus Somalia is and will always remain more of a religious people and state. This BS of liberal or secular is trash, the closest we got to that was when the Somali communist party took power in Somalia and forcefully instilled its idea to the people triggering ferousous reactions from the people and Somali Ulema and leading the mass murder of those Ulema by the then dictotorial regime. Those days have long gone and will never come back, never. The story of liberal/secular is erased for eternal. Somalis or Somalia + Islam is a compound that can be undone.

Xiinow Awoowe one is expected to lose his cool and act emotional when a bomb struck his house and he sees the blood of his relatives in dozens lying on the ground without much Ambulance/Medical team or state capacity to care for them. The state is not ready for this kind of war and the spread of Mogadishu bloodshed to Bosaaso is making me furious. Therefore, please tolerance my ferocity.

What was the point of this topic? and why are people talking about the persona of Siyaad and his regime rather than the posted clip. Odagu in this clip is using direct politiking no diplomatic words there, although I did not understand much of his mumbling or answers to the questions but he was obvious and direct with his anwers saying things like " Somalia cannot fight with Russia... mmh Russia will captor Somalia and the Gulf,... then Mmmmh this is the route to the West and America, or perhaps America and West will fight against Russia over the region (Im not sure perhaps he was not talking about real war here) and West will get their interest... even once uttered the World War III at some point! What was that all about, was this how a head of state should say things, or perhaps Odaga needed 101 politics lesson mase I think the world was a crazy place during that age. What do I know that was few years before I was even born. AUN, MSB.

^Absolutely, I understand some people might have concerns or dislike them but for what reason? or why prefer the terror compaign over their tireless job of securing the state. Unlike Alshabaab and co the PIS have never killed anyone nor carried out dark assasinations. Yes they may have arrested some or have created fear from them in the people's heart, but that's how any security apparatus of any country do to earn respect and ensure to create peaceful environment. If people are not scared of the PIS, how could they possibly enforce law and order or stop suicide bombers hiding among the public. The PIS is an element of the state a crucial and important one at that, America pays them my foot, America also pays Egypt billions of dollars every year. If the PIS is an American agent so is Egypt.

NG, valid point from that angle old man However, Faroole has scored few points on a different spectrum. You sometimes diplomacy and bribe does work but not all the time, he showed that Puntland will not withstand the protest of few or some regions that may or may not rebel. His dominion is self sufficient and the state marches on no matter who pulls out of the project. Trust me this move got a lot of people think about their strategy and have thus far developed a soft voice and a change of heart looking for sympathy, but the President is showing no remorse and evidence to that is the saking of MP's, and I mean MP's, how bold a move that is... The state will not cripple for any naysayers...

Xiin, you are silly for going after the PIC blaming them for everything. Adeer an elder was killed near Bosaas market during the evening, the day before a munipal officer, the day before that two tax collectors of the government and days that preceded innocent people were cold bloodedly murdered? Who is behind all this? Why dwell on the PIS and not see terror groups that are really active in Bari region and will probably kill tomorrow one of our innocent men or women. Grow up adeer, the threat of Alshabaab and their assasinations is real and extremely active, it is hapening and people are getting killed. If you don't want to see what is hapening in Mogadishu happen in Bosaaso, then stop talking about the PIS address the isse on a different angle...

Tragic indeed, All yarxam inta Muslimiinta ah.

Well done to SL Peaceful transfer of power is naturally not in psyche of a Somali man. Amazing development indeed!

'Masaajidda' is a proper Puntland accent, I don't know what Allsanaag is talking about here. And that was the authentic voice of Atom, he stresses to be part of the greater Alshabaab war against the what he calls the Murtadiin of Puntland and claims victory. The man is a nutcase and needs to be dealt with immediately, the administration has shown enough patience and softness and allowed this guy to amass militia at his will, no more.

Is this another stunt to suppress Kulmiye supporters in Burco, why now? Timely incident, Riyaale's mugging strategy marches on.

Staff and Nonesense!

What navy? Has the Somali navy that was being built in Puntland approved, or is this a Puntland owned navy project?

I bet you consider me your enemy. Riyaale bullies the likes of you in Hargeisa, and Silaanyo is a far distanced old rebel leader who lost hope to get grip on power in SL. I am not their enemy, if they percieve me to be their enemy as you do, I pety them.

In Logic or in Maths, there are things called parallel lines, which have similar characteristics but only have same distance apart at any point. Good to see you are not refuting my last comment given your stance lool

You have your own version of history. Abdulahi Yusuf was the only leader to give up power and resign from Presidency in the history of Somalia. A FACT.

Somaliland attacked villages of Geeljire's with armorred vehicles, now even if they take the control of those areas, one does not see how does that add up anything to the equation of Somaliland. Utterly rediculous and war based on clan hate as it seems.

^One does not see the importance of your care, but one sees the importance of publisizing his hope and plea for the removal of spy Riyaale and sympathises with Siilaanyo's long cry and struggle to rule Hargeisa, one of the former legitimate leaders of the SNM rebel movement.

^Rather powerless to dictate the pen or call the shots, it's quite amusing to hear (will not be found any dictionary in the world) that a rebel movement in Africa was not a power hungury(don't like power). Adeer, its fact every rebel movement in Somalia failed, they fought and died for nothing, and now every region in the former republic is controlled by its clan. SL and PL formed Admins for their areas. JB'yow, let's just agree to disagree.

How do you define overachieving? Everything in life have maximum that you can achieve, forexample in an exam that maximum you can achieve 100%, I have yet to see anyone achieving 120%... Oh, well, may be there are overachievers in other aspects of life, still a relative though, depends on how low a target you set for yourself. Aah, well, you must be those who hardly achieve even the low targets that others overachieve, sad, very sad indeed, I pety you man.

^And I thought they were twins. Odagi ayuu qarxiyayba, he has only two miyaa , adeer waa lagaa tagayee get on the back of the train. lol Hunguri, Congrats to your new baby brother, Ilaahay hakadhigo kii aad kudagtid, anfaca dadkiisa, dalkiisa iyo diintiisaba, Aamiin.

The mugger rules there now and by force thus needs no introduction, I have no doubt that he will cling on to power being a former spy and the student of dictator Barre, but I hope the poor Siilaanyo gets it this time, knowing that Faysal Waalane has no chance.

To be honest with you the SNM has achieved nothing, they fought, died and killed other innocents, but in the end, for Hargeisa to have a proper administration, it all has to be done through compromise and now the state is led by former Siad Barre spy. That much pretty sums the achievement of this old brutal rebel movement.

Good news, let's hope Riyaale does not mugg the poor durriyada again.... It will be utter dissappointment to see that Villa Morgan will be occupied by former NSS Siad Barre spy again and again, not in 2010.