Insurgency creeping into Somalia’s once stable northern region of Puntland

Somalia’s once stable Puntland hit by insurgency

NAIROBI, Kenya — A powerful Somali warlord and a series of recent clashes are threatening to open a new zone of lawlessness in what was once the peaceful northern region of chaotic Somalia.

Militants loyal to warlord Mohamed Said Atom have repeatedly clashed with government forces in Puntland region in recent weeks. Atom told a local radio station that his men have retreated to their mountain hideout to plan guerrilla attacks.

Atom was singled out by the U.N. in March for supplying arms to al-Shabab, Somalia’s dominant insurgent group based in southern Somalia. The U.S. has declared al-Shabab a terrorist organization.

Al-Shabab has so far distanced itself from activities in Puntland. But fears are rising that the militants could expand northward.