MOGADISHU, April 19, 2025 (SMN) — A Somali lawmaker has called on the federal government to unite in the fight against Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State (ISIS), warning that the threat posed by the two groups endangers the existence of the Somali state.
Osman Ali, a member of Somalia’s House of the People, said national leaders must focus on eliminating both insurgent groups, which continue to destabilize regions across the country.
Ali, who hails from Puntland, also urged the federal government to support Puntland’s security forces, who are engaged in ongoing combat with ISIS-linked militants in the semi-autonomous northeastern region.
“The federal government’s support is essential to liberate areas still under ISIS control,” Ali said, adding that Puntland’s forces have recently made gains, reclaiming several areas previously held by the group.
The lawmaker’s remarks come amid escalating political tensions between the Somali federal government and the Puntland administration, following controversial amendments to sections of the national constitution.
Ali’s comments reflect growing calls from regional leaders and lawmakers for a more coordinated national security strategy, as Somalia continues to battle multiple insurgencies across its territory.
