Friday, March 28, 2025 | {HMC} – The Puntland administration recently revealed foreign passports found in areas it has cleared of ISIS (Daesh) militants.
These passports were recovered from several countries, including nations from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and belonged to foreign nationals who had joined the ISIS group operating in Somalia.
The passports displayed by Puntland include those from Saudi Arabia, Germany, Argentina, Tunisia, Italy, Lebanon, Bahrain, Bangladesh, and South Africa.
It is apparent that these passports were used by foreign individuals who had previously joined the ISIS group fighting in Somalia, particularly in Puntland areas.
Passport Details
The passports were recovered from various locations where Puntland forces had removed ISIS members who had been operating in Somalia for an extended period.
The Puntland administration stated that the ongoing investigation into these passports is crucial for identifying any foreign nationals involved in terrorist activities and for preventing further attacks or security threats related to these individuals.
The countries from which these passports originated show that terrorist groups like ISIS recruit individuals from a broad range of nations, using foreign passports to avoid detection or capture.
Areas Cleared of ISIS
Puntland has been actively engaged in efforts to combat and dismantle ISIS and Al-Shabaab groups, addressing security threats posed by these militants. The areas cleared of ISIS include parts of the Bari region and other locations across Puntland.
The administration highlighted that the decisions taken in recent operations have proven effective and have contributed to improving the region’s security situation.
Next Steps
The Puntland government emphasized its commitment to continuing operations to locate ISIS members and other terrorist groups in the region and ensuring that foreign nationals holding illicit passports are addressed.
Puntland also called for enhanced international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and efforts to improve regional security and stability.
The Puntland report on foreign passports underscores that ISIS has expanded its reach by recruiting individuals from diverse countries, suggesting global security risks stemming from this organization.
Puntland reiterated its determination to strengthen the fight against terrorism and safeguard the security of Somalia.
