With Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed 'Irro' set to depart for the US at the end of August for a diplomatic visit, speculation has gone into overdrive about what it might yield. Only a few months into his tenure as president, the seasoned Waddani politician has undoubtedly had a busy time in office, wrestling with both domestic and regional turmoil. Principal among these issues has been Mogadishu's concerted efforts-- with the help of China-- to undermine Hargeisa through the Dhulbahante-dominated SSC-Khaatumo administration in Laas Aanood, as well as the continuing perforation of Houthi interests along the Gulf of Aden. Now, with potentially the most important moment of his career ahead of him, Irro travels to the US with a famously mercurial president at the helm but with a penchant for deal-making. What precisely any deal with the US could entail remains to be seen, but speculation surrounding three key elements has been rife-- strategic minerals, resettling ethnically cleansed Palestinians, and a military base on Somaliland's shoreline.
Puntland's kinetic anti-Islamic State-Somalia (ISS) operations in the Al-Miskaad Mountains are nearing their conclusion. Launched in February, 'Operation Hilaac' (Lightning) has sought to degrade the key Daesh node led by Abdulkadir Mumin-- designated by the US as a global leader within the extremist group. Puntland-driven and backed by US and UAE airstrikes, the operations have proven highly successful, seizing significant ISS bases and inflicting considerable casualties on the jihadists, including the Head of Immigration and Foreign Fighters, Ahmed Musa Said, last month. With operations expected to soon begin winding down, Puntland officials have signalled a transition to stabilising the liberated territories, as well as looking ahead to the aptly-named 'Operation Onkod' (Thunder) offensive against Al-Shabaab in the Almadow Mountains.