Somalia: Puntland Army Chief, Ministers tour Galgala frontline

BOSSASO, Somalia Oct 23, 2014 (Garowe Online)-A delegation led by Puntland Defence Force (PDF) Commander-in-Chief Gen. Saed Mohamed Hirsi (Saed Dheere) has toured Galgala Mountains where the north eastern state has been battling Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab militants on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

Gen. Saed Dheere was accompanied on his visit to six army positions along the difficult terrain of Golis by Security Minister Hassan Osman Allore, Information Minister Abdiweli Hirsi Abdulle (Indhoguran), Livestock and Animal Husbandry Minister Abdullahi Ali Du’alle, Finance Minister Shire Haji Farah and Public Work and Housing Minister Abdirashid Mohamed Hirsi.

Addressing Puntland Army troops on the security plans ahead for the government, Minister of Information Indhoguran has called on Al Shabaab remnants to take advantage of the recent amnesty offer by President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali.

“With eight days left to the presidential pardon deadline, I urge fugitive [Al Shabaab members] to surrender. We pledge, nobody will harm you and you will be safe,” said Indhoguran.

Continuing, he noted that Galgala is rich in natural resources, and could revive the country’s once vital tourism industry in the near future.

Puntland forces have engaged in sporadic battles with Al Shabaab fighters on battlegrounds near Golis Mountain ranges.

On October 13, United Nations investigators lambasted Puntland leadership for remaining reluctant on the war on terror, and the upsurge in extremism in the relatively calm state.

As a result of intense military campaign in south-central regions, militants have begun to migrate northwards towards rugged hotbeds in Galgala , and along Golis.

GAROWE ONLINE