Puntland Intelligence Agency

The Puntland Intelligence Agency (Somali: Hay’ada Sirdoonka Buntlaand, Arabic: وكالة الاستخبارات بونتلاند‎) is an intelligence agency based in Puntland, Somalia. It was officially established in 2001 as Puntland Intelligence Service during the rule of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, with assistance from the United States.[1] The agency operates throughout Somalia, but principally in the autonomous Puntland region, where it serves as the main intelligence and counter-terrorism wing of the Puntland Security Force.[2]

Puntland Intelligence Agency
Hay’ada Sirdoonka Buntlaand
وكالة الاستخبارات بونتلاند
Agency overview
Formed2001
Preceding agencies
  • Puntland Intelligence Service (2001-2010)
  • Puntland Intelligence Agency (2010-present)
Jurisdiction Puntland
HeadquartersBosaso, Puntland, Somalia
EmployeesClassified
Annual budgetClassified
Agency executive
  • Colonel Ali Mohamed Yusuf (Binge), Director
Parent agencyNational Intelligence and Security Agency

The agency took the name Puntland Intelligence Agency in 2010 after undergoing extensive reform to streamline it to work side by side with other government agencies across Somalia. These reforms were instituted by former Puntland President Abdirahman Farole.[3]

Contemporary history

Then known as Puntland Intelligence Service, the PIS was founded in 2001 with help from the United States Intelligence Community to act as a buffer against possible Islamist movements. Its responsibilities include surveillance, investigation and arrest of suspected terrorists; monitoring of ports and airports; protection of foreigners.[4]

It has led the fight against Al-Qaeda in Galgala, Puntland known as the Galgala Campaign.[5] On February 26, 2012, the self-proclaimed leader of the Galgala militants reaffirmed their allegiance with Al-Qaeda.[6] The Puntland Intelligence Agency is trained and supported by US counter-terrorism agencies via their branches in Djibouti and is currently the strongest armed wing of Puntland's security apparatus.[5][7]

References
  1. "Somalia: Puntland's Govt Blasts VOA Report As 'Appeasing Al Shabaab'". Garowe Online. allAfrica.
  2. "NSNL 136 - Intelligence profile : Somalia". Cvno.net. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  3. "Puntland First Anniversary Report 2009".
  4. Lovelace, Douglas C. (2008). Terrorism Documents of International and Local Control. New York: Oxford Univ Pr. p. 531. ISBN 0195382781.
  5. "Militant Leadership Monitor Volume 1 Issue 9". Dataspace Princeton. The Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  6. "Forbes". Specials.forbes.com. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  7. "Somalia: Somaliland is Becoming Africa's 'Terrorism Secret'". allAfrica. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
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