Explosive testimony emerged from the Puntland Armed Forces Court on Monday, as one of 10 defendants on trial for alleged ties to terror groups Al-Shabaab and ISIS claimed that Buuhoodle town is a known recruitment and training center for Al-Shabaab.
The unnamed defendant, who told the court he defected from Al-Shabaab, stated that residents of Buuhoodle were trained in Jilib, the group’s longtime headquarters in southern Somalia. He further claimed he had been instructed to establish a training camp in Buuhoodle but refused, saying, “That is what made me turn away from Al-Shabaab.”
“Most of the people living in Buuhoodle are Al-Shabaab. Many of those who trained with me have already been arrested,” the man told the court.
According to the court proceedings, the man had initially fled to Hargeisa but claimed he was harassed, leading him to travel to Jilib for training. After defecting, he surrendered to Ethiopia’s Liyuu Police, who reportedly told him they couldn’t help and advised him to seek refuge in Puntland instead. He insisted he has committed no crimes, but said he feared for his life after rejecting Al-Shabaab’s ideology.
The court in Bosaso is expected to issue verdicts soon against the 10 men on trial, which include two foreign nationals.
Defendants:
- Nuur Mohamed Macalin, 30
- Mutahar Xamud Qayib, 24 (foreigner)
- Salaad Caseyr Muse, 62
- Mushir Mohamed Said, 38 (foreigner)
- Ibrahim Yuuya Ali, 35
- Abdilaahi Ali Ayuu, 25
- Abdilaahi Ahmed Yusuf, 25
- Mohamed Macalin Adan, 25
- Hasan Yusuf Macalin Isaaq, 27
- Amxmed Mohamed Abdi, 40
Background:
Al-Shabaab, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, has long used Jilib as its main stronghold and training base. The group has been responsible for hundreds of deadly attacks across Somalia, Puntland, and even neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia. The allegation that Buuhoodle, located near the Somaliland-Ethiopia border, is becoming a training hub raises major regional security concerns.
This case may further strain inter-regional relations as Puntland courts make bold assertions implicating residents of Somaliland territory in militant activity. The outcome of the trial — and any potential reaction from local communities or political entities — could have significant national security implications.
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