Garowe, (WDN)–In response to recent media coverage and press releases from the Bari Traditional Elders and the opposition in Puntland—widely reported by various outlets, including WardheerNews, in an interview today, the Minister of Information, Minister Mahmoud Aydid Dirir, addressed claims suggesting that the military campaign in the Calmiskaad and Calmadow mountain ranges is being used as a pretext for mineral exploration. The Minister made it clear:

“There is no mining or mineral exploration being carried out by the Puntland Government in the Calmiskaad or Calmadow mountains. The ongoing operation is a legitimate military effort to remove terrorist elements that have posed a threat to regional and national stability. These rumors are being amplified by groups who are uncomfortable with the success of our security forces and are seeking to distract from the broader public interest.”

The government emphasizes that the Calmiskaad operation is part of a broader counterterrorism strategy to restore peace and security in areas long exploited by extremist groups. Any attempt to politicize or mischaracterize this operation undermines those efforts and misleads the public.

We reaffirm Puntland’s unwavering commitment to transparency, rule of law, and the constitutional management of natural resources. Any future development of minerals or other natural assets will be conducted within a legal and consultative framework that benefits the local population.

As always, the Puntland Government encourages robust and responsible journalism, and remains open to engaging with the media in ways that serve truth, public interest, and democratic governance.

WardheerNews