Mohamed Said ''Atam'' denies Al-Shabaab Links

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Mohamed Said Atam, whose militia is battling Puntland security forces in the mountainous area of Galgala, has denied he has any links with militant Islamist group al-Shabaab and said he has not been involved in a series of killings in Bosaso and Galkayo.

“Those saying we have links with al-Shabaab have closer ties with al-Shabaab than us,” he said in a broadcast speech, adding that rumored links with Eritrea, often accused of providing the insurgent group with arms and money, were also non-existent.

Puntland has accused al-Shabaab, through Atam, of trying to destabilize the semi-autonomous state through a spate of assassinations of public figures and businessmen, but the militia leader denied this.

“These actions started before our revolt and it is clan-based conflict,” he said. “We are not against peace with Puntland, we are protecting our own territories ... and our oil resources.

“They wish us flee from our settlements so they can exploit our resources; that was the root cause of the conflict ... we are available to negotiate,” he added.

Dozens have been killed in fighting in Galgala in recent days, and Atam says he is currently in full control of the region.

Residents in Suqur, 20 kilometers east of Bosaso, said that heavily armed pro-Atam forces set up in the settlement early Tuesday, and are worried that Puntland authorities are planning an attack to dislodge these troops.

"We heard more troops from Puntland are going to attack the settlement ... we are tense and you see militia all around the streets," one resident told Somalia Report.

Puntland security officials refused to discuss specific operations, but said plans were afoot to attack Atam's positions.

Sources close to al-Shabaab also told Somalia Report that around 200 of its fighters were backing Atam, with the remit of killing Puntland officials.

Another murder

Meanwhile a third businessman - Abdinur Salad - was assassinated in Bosaso overnight Monday, following on from two killings over the weekend.

“We heard gunshots just a few minutes after we came out from the mosque ... and outside we saw the businessman dead,” Khalif Abdi, a resident in Bosaso, told Somalia Report.

Residents in Galkayo and Bosaso are worried about the increasing insecurity, blaming the Puntland Authorities for not doing enough to tackle the problem.

“The security situation is worsening and there is concern about who is behind the killing of the politicians, elders and Islamic scholars,” Mohamed Yasin, an intellectual and peace activist, told Somalia Report.

So Atam and his force are fighting Puntland for clan reason. Due to protecting his clans natural resources...........Ar Hooy Soomaliyeey Towbadkeena! Dagaal wiil ma ku dhashee ee wiil baa ku dhinto.........