Speaking at a mosque in Jowhar town on Sunday, the group’s leader in the region, Yussuf Isse (Kaba ku-tukade) reportedly urged locals to stay calm and work with his militant group.

He said they are aware of government and AMISOM supporters in the region and threatened to deal with them if they ever set foot inside Jowhar town, adding that they will also target them in other areas of the region.

His sentiment comes days after Somali military officials claimed they are just less than 10 kilometres far from Bal’ad town and promised to exert government authority on the entire region.