Minnesota Somalis back Puntland’s ISIS fight, criticize federal government
By Mshale Staff
Members of Minnesota’s Somali community, primarily from the Puntland region, have condemned the Somali government’s inaction in the fight against ISIS, expressed support for Puntland’s defensive forces and lauded the U.S. government and President Donald Trump for their assistance.
Trump ordered airstrikes on Feb. 1 against the Islamic State in a remote mountainous cave complex in Somalia’s Puntland region, reportedly killing one of ISIS leaders and other militants.
“Not only has the Somali government abdicated its responsibility to protect its land and its people, it has politicized this important fight from the very beginning,” Abdifatah Mohamed said at a Feb. 7 news conference where he was flanked by community leaders and elders.
Nevertheless, Puntland’s campaign, “Operation Hillaac,” has made significant success in driving out the terrorist group, said Mohamed, a Twin Cities attorney.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud — who has made fighting terrorism a top priority — on Feb. 1 thanked the United States for its “unwavering support” and “in our shared fight against terrorism.” He lauded President Trump’s “bold and decisive leadership” in counterterrorism efforts, stressing that the U.S. president’s actions were “highly valued and welcomed in Somalia.”.
“Terrorism will neither find friends, nor any place to call home, in Puntland state and entire Somalia,” Mohamud posted a statement on the social media platform X.
But the Somali government has since been accused of neglecting its citizens and politicizing the fight against ISIS. At the presser, Mohamed cited the government’s refusal to
issue passports to wounded Puntland soldiers needing medical treatment abroad as a particularly egregious
Puntland Cont’d on Pg. 4
Twin Cities attorney Abdifatah Mohamed speaks at the press conference in Minneapolis to express support for Puntland’s fight against ISIS.
Photo: Somali TV of Minnesota
Guest Commentary by Ari Mei-Dan
Trump’s immigration policies towards non-white groups spike anxiety
Being an immigrant under President Donald Trump’s new term has sparked complicated emotions for me, ranging from anger to deep concern. As I begin to process these feelings, the president’s actions toward non-white groups are difficult to ignore.
It is not new for a president to enact numerous policies on day one in office—it is something we see with each new administration. However, what is unique is Trump’s sustained commitment to repealing protections for non-white people.
Although I feel lucky that my citizenship process was made easier than most people going through the system, given that my grandmother was born in the United States, it is scary knowing that my future under Trump’s policies is still at odds.
To begin with, I was angered by Trump’s repeal of Executive Order 11246—also known as the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. Passed amidst the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, this act ensured individuals from discrimination in the workplace based on race or ethnicity. For anyone who is not white, this should be alarming—it certainly is for me as an Israeli Jew, living in a world where antisemitism continues to rise. Will I have to hide my Star of David necklace again? Will I be fired for taking Jewish holidays off? What will happen when people ask me where I’m from, given that I do not look white?
Then, I was troubled by the president’s efforts to challenge birthright citizenship, a right explicitly guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. Regardless of a child’s parents’ citizenship, the child is automatically granted American citizenship if born on American soil. My grandmother benefited from this law after her father escaped Nazi Austria and sought refuge in the United States, even if he did marry an American woman. Even though a U.S. District Court judge did go on to block the order, the implications and consequences of such an order are immense.
The U.S. is a nation built on immigration. I empathize with
refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals amidst the arduous process of obtaining their American citizenship. It wouldn’t be fair to do that all over again for one’s child. The U.S. government has consistently shown bias against certain immigrant groups, despite there being far more pressing immigration policies to address than eliminating birthright citizenship. Instead, let us focus on making the path to citizenship smoother and easier, or properly addressing the border crisis.
Not even a week into Trump’s second term as president, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has already begun raids to deport undocumented immigrants all over the country. What particularly infuriated me was the apparent lack of organization in these raids. One raid in Newark, New Jersey, resulted in the detainment of both undocumented immigrants and American citizens, including an American military veteran. The raid didn’t even have a warrant. It is difficult to have faith in the president’s immigration policies when deportations lack the necessary basic legal structures.
Where does that leave me, a first-generation American? Perhaps I am only exasperated by these policies because Trump’s second term came after one of the first elections I was eligible to vote in. Perhaps I can be an idealist, and hope that all will fall into place nicely.
While Trump’s commitment to combating antisemitism is definitely something to await, I cannot help my skepticism towards what else will come next. Trump’s vague plan of deporting “antisemitic student protesters” has definitely been met by my skepticism, for example. I wonder what will happen to my international friends on visas, or what other laws may arise that will affect my existence as a non-white, immigrant woman. I will be awaiting the future with anxiety.
Ari Mei-Dan wrote this for The Berkeley Beacon where she is a staff photographer.She is a third-year VMA major and political science minor. The Berkeley Beacon is Emerson College’s independent, student-run newspaper.
example. He and others noted that despite this lack of support, the Somali government is attempting to take credit for Puntland’s victories.
Mohamed Dini, a member of the Somalia parliament and longtime Minnesota resident, said the fight against ISIS has worsened the political rift between Puntland and the federal government.
“The federal government hasn’t helped Puntland,” Dini said in an interview with Mshale. “But what we
militia. This is an international mafia, sophisticated, well-trained, well-funded, and drawn from over 21 nations.”
Dini stressed the importance of Somali government participation and continued U.S. engagement, including a military presence and strikes against this growing terrorist network. He underscored the global threat emanating from Somalia.
Dini said four dozen members of Somalia’s parliament represent Puntland and have led fundraising
“The federal government of Somalia must do its part,” Dini said. “But ISIS is not just a threat to Somalia but to the whole world, especially U.S. national security. We must defeat them.”
Puntland forces aided by the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates, have effectively countered ISIS. This week, backed by UAE airstrikes, Puntland forces killed at least 44 ISIS militants in a counterterrorism operation targeting insurgent hideouts in the Al-Miskaad Mountains, Puntland authorities announced on X.
Mohamed Keynan, Chairman of the
Puntland diaspora in Minnesota, urged the community to heed the call to action from Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni to support the fight against ISIS. He and others stressed the importance of the diaspora’s commitment to providing both moral and material support to their homeland. Local committees have already been formed to coordinate aid and fundraising efforts within the Minnesota Somali community.
“We have reached that moment where we are ready to act and take the call to fight against the terrorist group,” Keynan said.
Community leaders listen to speakers at a press conference in Minneapolis to express support for Puntland’s fight against ISIS.
Photo: Somali TV of Minnesota
The U.S. military conducts coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in Somalia on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.
Photo: U.S. Africa Command
Black press, NAACP, and lawmakers warned America, now Trump’s 2025 agenda is reality
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Corresponden
The Black Press warned Americans. The NAACP warned Americans. Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett warned Americans. Several others who paid attention to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 sounded the alarm too. Yet, despite Donald Trump’s lies and attempts to distance himself from the plan’s hateful and destructive mandate, reality has set in. Less than one month into his presidency, Politico noted that Project 2025 has shown up in 37 of Trump’s executive orders, placing its architects squarely in power and moving swiftly to reshape the nation’s policies. Despite public denials, the fingerprints of the far-right Heritage Foundation’s sweeping agenda are unmistakable.
Among the immediate actions are Trump’s reinstatement of harsh immigration policies, directives rolling back civil rights protections, and a push to gut the Department of Education’s diversity programs—each item aligning with the Project 2025 blueprint. Executive orders dismantling environmental safeguards, restricting reproductive rights, and granting broad powers to law enforcement have followed, echoing the project’s call for a return to what its authors describe as “traditional American values.” “This is exactly what we warned about,” Rep. Crockett said. “They’re moving with precision, targeting the most vulnerable communities first—immigrants, Black and brown people, LGBTQ+ folks—and they’re doing it under the guise of restoring law and order.”
The Black Press of America
issued numerous reports before the election detailing how Project 2025 aims to strip away civil liberties and concentrate power in the executive branch. Critics say the speed at which these policies are being implemented proves that Trump’s earlier denials were calculated deception. The NAACP released a statement emphasizing the stakes: “This is not about politics— this is about survival,” officials at the nation’s oldest civil rights organization stated. “Communities of color will bear the brunt of these policies. We told you this was coming.”
Behind the scenes, Trump has appointed several Heritage Foundation affiliates to top White House positions. John McEntee, one of Project 2025’s key contributors, now oversees
personnel decisions, ensuring federal agencies align with the agenda’s hardline stance. Meanwhile, another architect of the plan, Russell Vought, plays a central role in rewriting federal budget priorities to defund programs that benefit marginalized groups. The executive orders have included eliminating funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across government agencies, establishing federal penalties for “disruptive” protests, and reinstating the controversial “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy.
“Donald Trump can pretend he’s not involved, but look at the people in his administration,” said Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP. “Look at the policies being pushed through with
record speed. This is Project 2025 in action.” Many of Trump’s moves echo those listed in the Heritage Foundation’s publicly available 920page blueprint. The document outlines plans to overhaul the Department of Justice, weaken protections against police brutality, and limit LGBTQ+ rights, all of which have been reflected in Trump’s recent directives.
Civil rights organizations are rallying to fight back, filing lawsuits, and urging Americans to mobilize. Still, the road ahead remains steep, with Republican-controlled legislatures supporting many of these initiatives. “There’s no time for complacency,” Rep. Crockett said. “What we are witnessing is the normalization of fascism disguised as patriotism.”
NO ONE GETS
DIPLOMA ALONE.
Protesters gather on steps of the Texas Capitol, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Austin, Texas for a rally against Project 2025. Photo: Eric Gay/AP
