Puntland security forces have launched a new phase of military operations in the Al Miskaad mountain range of Bari region, targeting remaining ISIS militants believed to be hiding in the rugged terrain, according to local military officials.
Col. Mahmoud Shire Mohamed, commander of the Al Miskaad sector, said Puntland troops have begun large-scale operations across several locations in the mountains as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate ISIS strongholds. .
He also reported that a foreign ISIS fighter detonated himself after being wounded by Puntland forces while allegedly attempting to plant an improvised explosive device on the road linking Sheebaab and Dhaadaar.
The incident highlights the continuing threat posed by ISIS remnants in the region.
Although Puntland authorities say the group has suffered major setbacks, militants are still believed to possess the capability to conduct roadside bomb attacks and suicide operations.
The latest offensive follows months of sustained military pressure on ISIS positions in the Bari mountains.
A report presented to the United Nations Security Council in August stated that Puntland’s operations had significantly weakened the group’s military, financial and territorial capabilities.
According to the UN assessment, ISIS-Somalia is now estimated to have between 150 and 250 fighters remaining, most of them believed to be concentrated in the Al Miskaad mountains.
The United Nations noted that the figures are based on expert monitoring assessments rather than direct battlefield verification.
For years, the Al Miskaad range has served as the primary stronghold of ISIS in Somalia.
Its harsh terrain, steep mountains and extensive cave networks have provided militants with natural cover, making military operations particularly challenging for Puntland forces.
The United States has also conducted airstrikes against ISIS targets in the area, supporting broader efforts to degrade the group’s operational capabilities in northeastern Somalia.
Despite reports that ISIS has been significantly weakened, security analysts warn that the group remains capable of exploiting the mountainous landscape to regroup, evade capture and launch ambushes against advancing forces.
The continued threat from landmines and suicide attacks has also kept Puntland troops on high alert.
Military officials say the objective of the latest operations is to clear the remaining ISIS pockets from the mountains and prevent the group from rebuilding its presence in the region.
While Puntland claims substantial progress in the campaign, the battle for Cal Miskaad remains far from over.
The conflict has entered a new phase in which ISIS is believed to be weaker than before, but still capable of mounting dangerous attacks from its remaining hideouts in one of Somalia’s most difficult and strategic battlegrounds.