By Liban Mohamed
Bossaso, Somalia (Somalistandard) – Local authorities in Puntland have raised concerns over reports of the extremist groups ISIS and al-Shabab engaging in extortion from businesses in Puntland, a state in Somalia which described the development ‘very concerning’.
A devastating attack on a business center in Bossaso city, the capital of Bari region last week has heightened worries about the threats posed by these groups to local businesses.
The attack, involved in the use of explosives, targeted a business center owned by the Al-Maruuf company in the city, the economic hub of the region.
Puntland security officials believe that the purpose of the attack was to intimidate businessmen in the city into paying extortion money demanded by militants.
Speaking to the reporters on Thursday, Puntland’s Police Chief, Major General Muumin Abdi Shire, expressed his concerns over the demamds of extortion of money by terrorist groups from businessmen and warned remittance companies, banks, and telecommunication companies against opening accounts for the groups.
Businessmen in Puntland are reportedly facing threats from extremist groups, particularly from Daesh (ISIS), which is known to have a strong presence in the region.
Some business centers in Bosaso town have reportedly been forced to close down after failing to pay bribes imposed on them by these groups.
In response, Gen. Shire has warned that it is taking measures to respond to the threat faced by businessmen in the north-eastern region to protect them from the extortion demands of terrorist groups.
However, the situation remains tense as businesses continue to receive threats and demands from extremist groups in Puntland.
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