GAROWE – Somali security officials in Puntland region declared a major victory on Monday after successfully repelling ISIS militants from several key areas in the Al-Miskad mountain range.
The operation, which targeted strategically important areas such as Dhabancaddo, Gubad, Siido, and the Aba-Ruc well, marks a significant step in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region.
The clash saw Puntland forces engage in intense battles with ISIS militants entrenched in these areas. According to local reports, Puntland’s military units captured multiple strategic sites previously held by the terror group. These include key command bases that were crucial to ISIS’s operations in the region.
Although the precise number of casualties remains unclear, Puntland officials confirmed that “several foreign jihadists” were killed during the confrontation.
The success of the operation has been hailed as a significant blow to ISIS’s presence in the region, although the exact scope of the damage to the militant group remains difficult to ascertain.
The victory is particularly important for Puntland, as it continues to face threats from extremist groups operating in the Horn of Africa.
ISIS, along with other militant factions, has increasingly targeted the region, and the government of Puntland has intensified its military efforts to combat their influence.
“The operation underscores the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and reinforcing security in areas vulnerable to extremist activities,” a regional official said in an interview with Arlaadi Media.
He furthermore added: “This latest success follows a series of military engagements aimed at dismantling the network of ISIS militants in the region, contributing to a broader push to eliminate terrorist strongholds in Somalia and surrounding areas”.
As investigations into the operation continue, authorities are expected to release more details about the scale of the military gains and the specific tactics used by Puntland forces.
