The government in Somalia's stable northern Puntland State has received public support from the community to target militants hiding out in Galgala hills, Radio Garowe reports.

Clan elders in Dhahar town, capital of the newly created Highland region of Puntland, issued a four-point declaration showing community support to the government's effort to seize the militants' hideout in Galgala hills.

Muktar Mohamud Farah (Habeeb) told Puntland-based Radio Garowe that the Dhahar clan elders issued the declaration after a weeks-long meeting and is "intended to show community support to the government."

Clause one states that the community "recognizes the situation in Galgala as a naked invasion against Puntland, and especially against the local clan."

The second clause states: "Responsibility over this territory, as has been the case, belongs solely to the Puntland Government."

"It is imperative that the Cabinet ministers, lawmakers, and elders work together to draft a short plan to expel this group [of militants] from Galgala," reads the third clause.

The final clause underscores "the clan's unwavering support to the Puntland Government because the security of Puntland is sacred."

Galgala is a hilly region east of Bossaso, the commercial hub of Puntland located along Gulf of Aden shores.

Puntland's security officials have long suspected that a series of bombings in Bossaso were organized by Galgala militants, who are accused of having links to terrorist group Al Shabaab in southern Somalia.

Recently, the Galgala militants have claimed that they are establishing an "Islamic government" in the small town, a move that has angered the local clans.

Puntland Interior Minister Gen. Abdullahi Ahmed "Ilkajir" led a government delegation that spent two weeks in Dhahar, beginning on June 23, to thwart Somaliland's election claim in Sanaag region and to also send a final warning to the Galgala militants.

GAROWE ONLINE