According to information obtained by Puntland Post, troops recently redeployed from the Calmiskaad mountains and currently stationed at the 54th Brigade military base in Garowe are expected to move toward the Sool region in the near future.

Huddun district is home to the Holhol well, previously known as the Nugaal well. It was one of the earliest sites for oil exploration, conducted approximately 46 years ago by American-owned companies.

In 2024, the former Federal Minister of Petroleum and Minerals of Somalia, Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, stated that an agreement had been signed with a Qatari-owned company regarding the Holhol well.

Puntland also deployed forces to the coastal town of Las Qoray in the Sanaag region, amid reports that the Federal Government of Somalia intends to establish a military base there for the Turkish government.

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According to a statement issued by the Puntland Presidency, the meeting focused on the overall situation in Somalia, with particular emphasis on the fight against terrorist groups ISIS and Al-Shabaab, democratic governance, development projects, humanitarian assistance, and strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the Puntland administration.

In addition, the Vice President of Puntland held separate meetings with the Ambassador of Denmark to Somalia, H.E. Steen Sonnen Andersen; the Ambassador of Norway, Ms. Merete Dyrud; and diplomats from Sweden and Switzerland. These officials were part of the delegation accompanying the European Union Ambassador during her visit to Garowe.

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They reported that nearly half a billion dollars are lost to khat across Somalia, highlighting that Puntland in particular suffers severe economic damage due to its consumption, as stated in their official declaration.

“Khat causes serious problems for our society. Migration and illegal movement will continue unless we address the economic issues, of which khat is a part. As parliamentarians, we have a responsibility. In developed countries, it is banned,” said MP Kuluc.

The lawmaker cited several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, where khat is prohibited in order to control economic and social challenges.

“The United States banned it 25 years ago. In the UK, other European countries, and many Arab nations, khat is not consumed. The only Arab country where it is still used is Yemen, which is itself struggling. A significant portion of people’s money is wasted on khat, and it negatively impacts our economy, health, and morals,” MP Kuluc added.

Discussions about plans to ban khat have begun in areas of Puntland, with differing opinions emerging among the stakeholders on both sides of the debate.

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Kaab TV has learned that a delegation led by Puntland President Saeed Abdullahi Deni, who recently visited the UAE, held discussions with the UAE Government on ways to provide extensive support to Puntland’s operations against Daesh.

Puntland has emphasized the importance of boosting the morale of its fighting forces and has requested support to compensate the families of soldiers who died in the conflict.

While the exact number of soldiers who have died in Puntland has not been officially announced, estimates suggest the toll is in the hundreds since the launch of the Lightning Operation, which targeted ISIS positions in the region.

Sources close to the Puntland presidency have confirmed that up to $20,000 will be provided to the family of each soldier who died during Operation Hellaac.

This initiative could help Puntland build confidence in its military forces fighting against the terrorist group. The region has recently faced criticism for allegedly failing to provide adequate medical care and support to soldiers injured in the anti-terrorism campaign.

In addition, Puntland hopes the UAE will assist with the salaries of government employees. Currently, the UAE covers the salaries of the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), which received training from the UAE.

Puntland has faced a financial shortfall due to the suspension of international budget support, which it has not received for more than six years because of conflicts with the Federal Government in Mogadishu.

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Security sources reported Wednesday that dozens of American troops were inserted into the area aboard MH-60 helicopters, while MQ-9 Reaper drones executed precision strikes on a compound believed to house 10–15 ISIS militants in the Habarbakuuje and Mareero areas of the valley.

The assault sparked a fierce gun battle lasting between two and four hours at a heavily fortified hideout thought to shelter foreign fighters from Syria, Turkey, and Ethiopia.

Initial assessments indicate that a senior ISIS commander and several aides were killed, with an estimated 5–10 confirmed militant fatalities. Joint forces also destroyed a weapons cache and equipment used in ISIS-run gold-mining operations — a key financial lifeline for the group in Puntland.

The Puntland administration has reiterated its goal of eliminating ISIS from the region by the end of 2025.

The United States continues to support Puntland with intelligence and targeted airstrikes in the region’s mountainous terrain, pressure that has forced ISIS militants to abandon several positions and retreat into more isolated hideouts.

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The new budget reveals a considerable reduction in international project funding, which has traditionally played a key role in supporting public services and development programs across the region.

During the budget presentation, the Director General of the Ministry of Finance, Ahmed Jaamac Jowle, emphasized that the most notable positive development for 2026 is the growth in domestic revenue.

According to the Ministry, internal revenue collections are projected to rise by 16%, reflecting increased efficiency, improved tax administration, and stronger local economic activity.

Despite this positive trend, the overall budget for 2026 shows a major contraction. Puntland’s total proposed budget for the year stands at $315,783,344, marking a significant drop from the 2025 budget of $466,840,762. This represents an overall decline of approximately 32.3%, driven largely by reductions in external support.

A key concern outlined in the budget is the steep decline in international project funding. The Ministry indicates that allocations for externally funded projects will decrease by 32% compared to the previous year, and by 57% when compared specifically to the 2025 international project component.

This downturn is expected to have direct implications for essential public services—including healthcare, education, water projects, and infrastructure development—all sectors that rely heavily on donor-funded initiatives.

Puntland authorities attribute this decline to a broader global reduction in international aid flows. Many international organizations have reportedly scaled back, paused, or discontinued their programs in the region due to shifting priorities and decreasing donor contributions worldwide.

Despite these challenges, officials stress that strengthening domestic revenue will remain a priority in order to mitigate the impact of shrinking international support.

The Ministry of Finance has pledged to continue improving financial management, enhancing transparency, and exploring new revenue sources as the administration adjusts to the evolving fiscal landscape.

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These operations are believed to have focused on key militant positions in the Cal-Miskaad mountain range, southeast of Bosaso, where ISIS fighters have maintained fortified hideouts for years.

Local security officials in Puntland state that the strikes repeatedly hit defensive positions controlled by ISIS militants, disrupting their fortifications and directly supporting the ongoing operations of Puntland’s own defense forces.

These mountainous zones have been central to ISIS-Somalia’s activities, serving as both training areas and logistical hubs for their armed cells.

Although Puntland authorities have confirmed that U.S. drones conducted the attacks, specific details on the extent of the damage, the number of militants killed, or the identities of any high-ranking individuals targeted have not yet been released.

AFRICOM has acknowledged some recent operations in the region but, as is common with counterterrorism missions, not all strike details have been made public.

Initial assessments from earlier operations in the area this year indicated that several ISIS operatives were eliminated without reports of civilian casualties, but broader confirmation has yet to be provided.

Security forces in Puntland have carried out parallel ground and air operations, claiming significant successes, including the elimination of dozens of ISIS fighters in recent months.

Some of these campaigns reportedly targeted senior members of ISIS-Somalia responsible for recruitment, financing, and coordinating regional activities.

Somali federal officials have emphasized that the aim of the combined Somali–U.S. operations is to disrupt the group’s capacity to plan attacks against civilians, security personnel, and international partners.

The Bari region has long been one of the most strategically important territories in Puntland’s security landscape. Its rugged terrain offers natural protection for insurgent groups, making it a center of persistent conflict between ISIS cells and regional security forces.

The latest drone strikes appear to be part of a wider counterterrorism initiative that involves close cooperation between Puntland forces, the Somali federal government, and U.S. military advisers.

While Puntland authorities have welcomed the air operations as essential to weakening ISIS’s presence, full transparency regarding casualties and collateral impact remains limited.

Some independent assessments have noted that drone activity in the region has contributed to displacement in surrounding rural communities, raising concerns about the humanitarian implications of such strikes.

Balancing operational secrecy with accountability continues to be a challenge for all parties involved.

Overall, these developments underscore a renewed effort to dismantle ISIS strongholds in northern Somalia.

As operations continue, the effectiveness of these strikes—along with their impact on regional stability and local populations—will remain an important focus for both Somalia and its international partners.

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According to initial reports, the strike—believed to have involved U.S. military support—was one of the most forceful operations carried out in the Al-Miskaad range since the campaign against Daesh began several years ago.

The escalation followed newly granted authorization allowing Puntland forces to conduct direct ground assaults on militant positions.

Local sources indicate that heavy fighting continues around the Barakalah Well area. However, no official statements have yet been released regarding casualties on either side.

The rugged terrain and the remoteness of the site have made it difficult to verify the extent of the damage or the progress of the operation.

In recent statements, the Daesh affiliate in Somalia claimed it had repelled six separate attempts by Puntland forces to enter Barakalah Well, allegedly inflicting casualties including both deaths and injuries. Independent verification of these claims remains unavailable.

The group also asserted responsibility for an attack earlier in the week on a Puntland military outpost, in which four soldiers were reportedly killed. Daesh fighters allegedly suffered losses as well during the confrontation.

These developments come at a time when the Puntland administration plans to announce, within the next two weeks, that the long-running counterterrorism campaign in the Al-Miskaad Mountains is nearing completion.

However, political figures and intellectuals from the Bari region have urged the government to exercise caution. They warn that despite recent battlefield gains, Daesh’s presence in the mountainous terrain may not yet be fully neutralized.

According to these voices, premature declarations of victory could undermine ongoing security efforts and misrepresent the complexity of the situation on the ground.

The Al-Miskaad Mountains have for years served as one of the primary strongholds for Somalia’s Daesh faction, which split from al-Shabaab and entrenched itself in Puntland’s difficult, forested terrain.

Puntland forces, often with external support, have carried out periodic offensives aimed at disrupting the group’s operations, supply routes, and leadership networks.

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A statement issued by the  U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strike occurred near the Golgol Cave, approximately 32 kilometers southeast of Bossaso, in Puntland.

AFRICOM said the operation, carried out alongside Somali Armed Forces, was intended to disrupt the group’s ability to threaten the U.S., its personnel, and citizens abroad.

Details about the units or assets involved were not disclosed to maintain operational security. The statement did not disclose the number of casualties or ISIS  commanders targeted in the operation.

AFRICOM and Somali authorities said they remain committed to ongoing efforts to weaken ISIS-Somalia’s capacity to carry out attacks in the region.

The strikes come as heavy fighting has continued in the Mountains of Puntland since late 2024, where ISIS-Somalia maintains a presence.

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In a statement released on Tuesday, the Danab Command expressed frustration over what they described as “systematic neglect” by the Puntland government. The command claimed that despite their long-standing service in defending Puntland’s stability and sovereignty, their members have been denied basic support.

“The Danab soldiers are those who sacrificed their lives and were wounded in the defense of Puntland,” the statement read. “We remain committed to protecting the security of our people and our land, even as we face these difficult circumstances.”

The Danab forces, led by General Jamaale Jama Takar, voiced deep concern about the current political and security situation in Puntland.

According to their statement, the administration’s recent actions have weakened morale and created divisions within the regional security apparatus.

Despite these challenges, the Danab leadership pledged to continue carrying out their duties, maintaining public order and countering threats against the region.

In a notable gesture, the Danab Command also welcomed a group of young scholars who recently joined the Puntland Police Force.

The statement emphasized that cooperation among all security units is vital to ensuring the safety of Garowe, Puntland’s capital, and the wider region.

“We are ready to work closely with the new recruits to strengthen the security of Garowe and safeguard the peace our people depend on,” the command said.

The Danab forces have played a controversial role in Puntland’s recent political and military developments. Under the leadership of General Jamaale Jama Takar, the unit opposed Puntland’s government-led electoral process in 2023, which sparked heavy clashes in Garowe, leaving around 30 people dead and dozens more injured.

Reports have recently emerged that the Puntland administration has suspended payments and benefits not only for the Danab forces but also for other Puntland troops deployed in the Sool and Ayn regions—areas that have witnessed security tensions amid disputes between Puntland and Somaliland.

Analysts say the standoff between the Puntland government and the Danab forces reflects deeper divisions within the region’s military and political elite.

The suspension of salaries and benefits could further strain relations and undermine the cohesion of Puntland’s security forces, which have been instrumental in maintaining stability in Somalia’s most peaceful federal member state.

As of now, Puntland authorities have not issued an official response to the Danab command’s claims.

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