Bosaso,(WDN)— The Puntland government has issued a strong rebuttal to a report aired by German media outlets DW and ARD, which accused popular social media figure Captain Ayuub of being a former Somali pirate and fueling internal conflict through his online platforms.

DW (Deutsche Welle) the Germany’s international broadcaster reported on 3 July “ As now uncovered by DW’s investigative team in collaboration with the German public broadcaster ARD, German authorities eventually took notice of Ayub’s efforts at incitement. We set out to trace his path — and study the destructive influence he wields. The investigation also examined the reach of another war influencer who continues to use Germany as a haven to call for violence back in Somalia.”

DW further stated” As a tolerated foreign national, Ayub was not officially permitted to travel freely. However, in November 2023, he posted a clip of a trip to Somalia, where he was greeted and cheered by supporters.”

In a statement released by the Puntland Ministry of Information, the administration categorically denied all allegations presented in the report, calling them baseless and defamatory.

“Those spreading falsehoods about Captain Ayuub are aligned with Al-Qaeda and ISIS,” the statement read. It emphasized that Captain Ayuub had in fact fought against ISIS militants in Puntland and was wounded during the Al-Miskaad counterterrorism operation, which was supported by international allies including the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was later airlifted to Bosaso for medical treatment.

The Puntland government praised Captain Ayuub as a hero who served alongside the region’s defense forces and labeled the German media claims as an affront to the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism.

The government reiterated its commitment to defending national figures who have played a role in safeguarding Puntland’s security, and warned against the spread of misinformation that benefits extremist narratives.

WardheerNews