Somalia: War on Terror in the South, Political Fractures in the North

9th July 2025

3 minutes read

Somalia: War on Terror in the South, Political Fractures in the North

In a scene where chronic security challenges meet renewed political tensions, Somalia finds itself at a critical juncture where the war on terror intersects with efforts to reshape the political landscape in the northern part of the country.

While the national army continues to make battlefield gains against Al-Shabaab in the Lower Shabelle region, a fresh crisis is unfolding in the contested regions of Sool and Sanaag, threatening to open a domestic front as perilous as the battle against terrorist groups.

Precision Operation

On Tuesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Defense announced that the elite “Danab” special forces conducted a high-level night o

peration in Baghdad, a district of Lower Shabelle, targeting key sites held by Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda.

The operation resulted in the destruction of four boats used for smuggling weapons and fighters across the Shabelle River, as well as command centers, weapons caches, and assault platforms.

According to the ministry, this “painful blow” is part of a broader strategy to dismantle the group’s logistical networks. It reflects increasing synergy between field units and intelligence services and confirms the government’s commitment to cutting off terrorism at its roots.

Sool and Sanaag Crisis

Meanwhile, the political scene in the north is edging toward potential confrontation, as tensions escalate between Puntland and the federal government over the alleged military presence in the disputed regions of Sool and Sanaag—territories also claimed by the Khatumo administration, which enjoys backing from Mogadishu.

In an escalating speech, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni warned Khatumo leaders not to exceed their authority, insisting that the fate of Sanaag “is to be determined by Puntland.”

His comments came during a speech to new military recruits in the city of Qardho, as reported by Somali media on Wednesday.

For its part, the federal government—through Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi—denied sending any troops to the area, dismissing the accusations as an attempt to deflect from “some parties’ inability to meet popular demands.” He criticized the contradictory narrative accusing the federal government of failing to secure the capital while simultaneously claiming it is seeking control over the north.

The official denial came after a series of strong statements from Puntland, which accused the government of interference, held it accountable for any future escalation, imposed restrictions on public gatherings in Sanaag, and reinforced its military presence.

This escalation followed an announcement by the Interior Ministry about the formation of a technical committee to oversee the final phase of establishing Khatumo State, with a consultative conference scheduled for July 10 in Las Anod to define its future governance framework.

Crisis Roots

The tension in Sool and Sanaag is not new. It stems from a long-standing geopolitical and clan rivalry between Puntland and Khatumo, which intensified after the federal government’s recognition of Khatumo as a “transitional administration.” This legitimization has emboldened Khatumo to proceed with its institutional formation.

These contested regions hold strategic importance and feature complex clan overlaps between the Darod and Isaaq groups, giving the conflict a deep social dimension that surpasses administrative concerns.

While some clan leaders are attempting mediation to de-escalate the situation, Puntland’s actions—such as imposing security restrictions and dispatching reinforcements—suggest that a military confrontation remains a real possibility, particularly with the upcoming conference on July 10, which observers see as a pivotal moment.

As the federal government secures military victories in the south, it now faces a severe political test in the north—one that risks fracturing an already fragile federal balance and opening new internal fronts that could undermine stability efforts.