Mogadishu (KAAB TV) — A deadly battle erupted yesterday between Puntland regional forces and militants affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) in the mountainous region of Calmikaad, located in Bari, northeastern Somalia. According to international sources, at least 15 Puntland soldiers lost their lives during the intense confrontation.
The fighting occurred between the areas of Toga Miraale and Habley, where Puntland security forces reportedly launched an offensive targeting entrenched ISIS positions. Sources indicate that Puntland troops succeeded in dislodging the group from at least two strategic locations. However, the operation came at a high cost.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that in addition to casualties sustained in direct combat, some Puntland soldiers may have died after consuming poisoned water in territory recently captured from the militants. This has raised suspicions that retreating ISIS fighters may have deliberately sabotaged water sources to inflict further harm.
While these specific claims have not been independently verified, local sources who spoke to Hiiraan Online (HOL) have corroborated elements of the account.
The renewed fighting underscores the persistent threat posed by ISIS in Somalia, particularly in the remote and rugged terrain of the Calmikaad mountains, where the group remains entrenched despite years of military pressure. In recent months, the group has reportedly escalated its activities, targeting civilians in rural areas and conducting acts of terror and extortion.
ISIS militants have been accused of kidnapping pastoralists, stealing livestock, and carrying out brutal punishments against those who resist their demands. In one of the most recent incidents, residents of Unun—a locality within the Qandala district—reported the abduction of a man named Ahmed Ibrahim Adan by ISIS fighters.
As of now, the fate of Ahmed Ibrahim Adan remains unclear. His family and local community members continue to search for him, amid fears that he may have been killed.
The Puntland administration has yet to release an official statement regarding the number of casualties or the status of the ongoing military operation. Meanwhile, regional observers warn that unless sustained and coordinated efforts are made to eliminate ISIS from its mountain strongholds, the group could continue to destabilize the area and endanger civilian populations.