Boosaaso, (Idil News) – Puntland’s armed forces have claimed a significant victory in their ongoing offensive against terrorism, seizing a major hideout used by Islamic State (ISIS-S) militants in the rugged Bari Mountains of Puntland.
The operation, conducted by Puntland’s counterterrorism unit, revealed a network of rudimentary stone caves that proved to be a hub for ISIS activities in the region. Among the findings were an Egyptian and Saudi passport as well as international bank cards, spotlighting the transnational nature of the terrorist group’s operations.
The passport identified Al-Hawshani Mohamed Ahmed, a 21-year-old Saudi national, as a member of IS-Somalia. The document showed Ahmed’s entry into Somalia via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on December 18, 2024, indicating a land route into Puntland by crossing the neighboring secessionist region of Somaliland.
During the raid on Thursday, Puntland forces dismantled various ISIS infrastructures, including supply depots, fuel storage, and makeshift garages used for assembling explosives and vehicle maintenance. This operation not only disrupts the logistical capabilities of ISIS in the area but also sheds light on their operational methods and supply chains.
The discovery of the passport and bank cards raises questions about the pathways foreign fighters use to infiltrate Somalia. The route through Ethiopia suggests a coordinated effort or network beyond Somalia’s borders, contesting previous assumptions about militant entry points centered around Somaliland.
Puntland has been actively combating the Islamic State group, with recent reports confirming that Puntland forces, under the Hilaac Campaign, have achieved significant successes against IS-Somalia (ISIS). Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a military base in Puntland on January 16, 2025, which reportedly killed around 22 military personnel and injured dozens more.
This development follows recent allegations by Dr. Abdiweli Ali Gaas, a former Puntland president and ex-Somali Prime Minister, who accused Somaliland of harboring terrorists. Gaas’s claims have escalated tensions in the region, though Somaliland has not publicly responded to these accusations.
The Puntland operation signals the state’s ongoing dedication to countering the threat of terrorism, particularly from groups known as ISIS and Al-Shabaab, which have been slowly active in Puntland. The presence of foreign fighters, evidenced by the passport, underscores the international dimension of the conflict and the need for regional cooperation to tackle such threats.
Puntland’s efforts are part of a broader Somali initiative to secure its territories from jihadist groups, with support from international allies concerned about the stability of the Horn of Africa.
The Puntland Appeal to the International Community
Puntlandβs offensive against ISIS in the Al-Miskad Mountains has displaced 6,500+ families from villages in the Bari and Sanaag regions, according to the Masaf Institute. The Puntland cabinet of council has urged the international community, international organizations, and the UN to provide immediate support for areas recently liberated from terrorist groups.Β
The displaced, including 754 students (448 boys, 306 girls), face dire conditions, villages like Dasaan, Dhaadaar, and Xankookib are empty as families flee to districts such as Qandala and Bosaso, women, children, and the elderly are among the most affected, per the report.
The MASAF Institute recommends integrating civilian protection into operations, engaging local leaders, and increasing humanitarian funding. “Aid must reach the most vulnerable to prevent long-term instability,” the report concludes.