GAROWE (KAAB TV) – President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, announced significant military gains against Daesh militant group in the northeastern region.
Speaking to local media, President Deni stated that Puntland security forces have successfully neutralized the majority of ISIS fighters operating in the region and disrupted the group’s ability to recruit and expand.
According to President Deni, the military campaign—primarily focused in the mountainous areas of the Bari region, particularly the Al-Miskat Mountains near Bosaso—has led to the elimination of a substantial number of foreign fighters who had infiltrated Puntland under the guise of tourism or business.
“In our operations against Daesh, we have killed many foreign fighters who had entered Puntland disguised as tourists or businessmen.
Militarily, we have won. According to the intelligence we have, over 95% of their capacity has been destroyed,” said President Deni.
He emphasized that the military offensive has not only diminished ISIS’s territorial presence but also cut off its recruitment pipeline, particularly preventing local youth from joining the group.
“We have significantly curbed their growth and prevented them from attracting new members. The land they previously occupied included farmland and strategic mountainous terrain. Today, it is under government control,” Deni added.
The operations, concentrated in the rugged mountainous terrain of eastern Puntland, have reportedly weakened the operational capability of the ISIS-affiliated militants who had used the area as a hideout and logistical base.
Despite these victories, President Deni acknowledged that some challenges remain, as pockets of militants may still exist in remote areas.
However, he reiterated the commitment of Puntland’s security forces to maintain pressure and ensure long-term stability in the region.
The Puntland State, a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia, has long been engaged in counter-terrorism efforts against both ISIS and Al-Shabaab.
The presence of ISIS in Puntland, though smaller than Al-Shabaab’s network in southern Somalia, has posed a persistent threat, especially in the Bari region, where the group established a foothold in 2015.
ISIS first emerged in Puntland in 2015 under the leadership of former Al-Shabaab commander Abdulkadir Mumin. The group has carried out sporadic attacks, including assassinations and bombings, mainly targeting security personnel and government officials.
However, sustained military pressure from Puntland forces and U.S.-backed counterterrorism operations have significantly weakened its influence in recent years.