Mogadishu (Sunatimes) The transitional federal government of Somalia on Friday appreciated the efforts made by the breakaway region of Somaliland and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in their fight against Al Qaeda-linked groups and individuals in Somalia.

In a press release, the TFG said that Somaliland and Puntland administrations have conducted several operations against radical groups and affiliates of Al-shabab insurgents that mainly operate in Southern Somalia.

The Puntland administration has recently carried out a massive operation in Galgala division where it crashed down a militia led by Sheikh Mohamed Atam who has got links with Al-shabab’s senior officials in the South.

Atam has a history of crime in Somaliland and Puntland. He is believed to have been involved in kidnappings, arms trafficking and assassinations inside Somalia.

“The operations had been great success for Somalia, since terrorists and their cruel acts had been prevented”, the statement read.

Al Shabaab insurgents which the U.S. alleges to be al Qaeda’s proxy in the Horn of Africa nation is believed to have been behind the insurgency led by Atam in Puntland whose assets were frozen by the United States in April when he was designated as a terrorist by Washington.

Somaliland security forces also claim they had thwarted many Al Shabaab terrorism attacks. The group has previously managed to carry out such attacks in both Somaliland and Puntland.

By Radio Bar Kulan