Somalia: Foreign ISIS fighters surrender in Puntland

BOSASO, Somalia - At least six foreign fighters attached to the IS-Somalia group have surrendered to authorities in Puntland state of Somalia, officials have confirmed, adding that six local fighters also downed their tools as the crackdown against the violent extremists intensify across Somalia..

The Daesh militants, officials said, surrendered in mountains of Bari region in northern Puntland. Among those arrested, authorities said, were four Ethiopians and two Sudanese, yet another indication that the group has been going after foreign fighters in recent days.

Cases of foreign fighters especially from Ethiopia joining fighters in Somalia have become so rampant, with the neighboring country increasing surveillance along the border. Those arrested, authorities said, did so in Balidhidhin village within Bari region.

In an interview, defectors insisted they were victims of manipulation by fighters who took advantage of their unemployment. According to they have been part of the Daesh militants for thr last one year after undergoing rigorous training in the country.

Of the defectors, two of them insisted that they arrived in the commercial city of Bosaso where they were employee briefly before being taken to mountains of Bari for training. It is in Bari that the militants have been training recruits, forcing local troops and those from the national government to initiate operations.

The commander of Bari regional police, Major General abdiqadir Dirir, warned job seekers in the region against being tricked from joining terror groups. He urged the youth to seek gainful economic activities rather than joining violent extremist groups.

A week ago, authorities in Puntland arrested foreign fighters belonging to IS-Somalia in Amamo and Balidhidhin within Bari region. One of those apprehended was identified as Mohamed Ibrahim Daha whose country of origin is Sudan.

Multiple businesses in Bosaso, the commercial hub of Puntland have been forced to close due to threats from the terrorist group ISIS while political intrigue unfolds at the state level. [Read here].

GAROWE ONLINE