Though how much of activity Al Shabab is achieving - not known. 

Bosaso an Al-Shabaab Stronghold?

Locals believe that al-Shabaab not only arrived in the Galgala Mountains, but is now creating a stronghold in the seaside commercial hub of Bosaso.

“I believe Bosaso is one of the important cities that feeds al-Shabaab, whether financially or militarily. Just go the mosques and Quranic schools. All the youngsters are supporting al-Shabaab and its ideology? Does this mean al-Shabaab have active members in the city? According to my sources, we believe more youngsters joined Galgala militias to fight Puntland forces at the same time others went to south and central Somalia to help al-Shabaab,” Ayub Ahmed, a scholar in Bosaso, told Somalia Report.

A local witness reported the militants were conducting a recruitment drive within the city.

“The day I believed that al-Shabaab had power in Bosaso was on 17 June 2011. After I finished Jumía prayer around 1:35pm, a friend asked if I needed money and I said yes. He then told me to come back the following evening, so I did. After we did Maqrib, he told me to follow him. He took me on a path through the city, going around and among houses and very tight roads in the new Bosaso village,” explained the recruit.

“I was really tired when he finally opened the door of a house. Inside there were more youngsters. I can’t remember the exact number. Also there were three old men who asked me if I was ready to fight for Allah and go to south Somalia. I said yes, because I needed the money. After more talking they told me they would give every person $500 when he reached Mogadishu. After I got back my home and decided to not go back again. Then I tried to remember the house at which I met them, but I was confused because of the similarity of the houses in this village,” he told Somalia Report.