Puntland Suspends Issuance and Renewal of IDs Amid War on ISIS

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GAROWE: Puntland government has suspended the issuance and renewal of identity cards until further notice.

The Ministry of Interior directed all regional and state authorities to freeze the issuance of new IDs and replacements until a new directive is issued.

“The Ministry of Interior, Federalism, and Democratization of the Puntland State informs all Regional and District Governors that the recognition of new and replacement of IDs has been suspended until further notice.”

The circumstances surrounding the suspension were not immediately clear but come amid massive operations against the ISIS terrorist group.

The Puntland government has since issued a series of restrictions, especially on the entry and stay of foreigners. This follows the report that several ISIS fighters killed in ground operations by Puntland forces and those neautralised by U.S drones were foreigners.

Several foreign fighters have also been captured in the ongoing operations.