Garowe, Somalia – The Vice President of Puntland State, Ilyaas Osman Lugatoor, on May 5^th has declared that the international community has provided no financial support to Puntland in its ongoing fight against the ISIS-affiliated militant group based in the Bari mountains.

Speaking at the opening of the Puntland University Research Organization Conference in Garowe, Vice President Lugatoor stated that Puntland has been independently conducting military operations without receiving direct financial assistance, except for limited aerial support from international partners.

“While engaged in a heavy war, entirely funded by Puntland’s own budget, not a single dollar has been received from the international community. Our partners only support us from the air – nothing more,” said Lugatoor.

He emphasized that Puntland has managed to sustain its military expenditures and salaries without foreign aid, describing it as a demonstration of fiscal sovereignty and resilience.

The Vice President also unveiled plans to establish a joint economic fund involving the government, business community, and civil society to mobilize domestic resources for essential services and security.

He urged Puntland’s private sector to invest in critical public services, such as education and healthcare, amid a notable decline in external aid.

His remarks come as Puntland intensifies operations against ISIS militants and prepares for new offensives targeting Al-Shabaab cells in parts of the region’s mountainous terrain.