Monday June 30, 2025
Bosaso (HOL) — A group of wounded Puntland army personnel who fought against ISIS militants in the Al-Miskaad Mountains of the Bari region have accused the Puntland Military Support Committee of misappropriating funds meant for their medical care.
On Sunday, the injured soldiers left hospitals in Bosaso, claiming they could no longer endure the poor conditions and lack of support. Speaking to local media, the troops said they had been abandoned by the government and that hospitals had ceased providing free treatment due to unpaid costs.
“The government has turned its back on us,” one soldier said. “The funds donated by our people were meant to treat the wounded, but we are now left without care or dignity.”
A delegation led by Puntland’s First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Baari Shire, met with the injured soldiers in an attempt to defuse tensions. The officials promised that their concerns would be addressed and that steps were being taken to restore their medical support.
Puntland forces have been engaged in a protracted operation against ISIS militants in the rugged Al-Miskaad Mountains for over six months. The offensive has resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of soldiers and officers.
Families of injured soldiers say many have been permanently disabled and are now living in hardship due to the lack of government support.
Diaspora communities have contributed millions of dollars in donations to assist wounded troops, but the allegations have sparked widespread concern over the transparency and accountability of how those funds are managed.