According to the operation’s commanders, Miiraale Valley, located in the Cal Miskaad range, was believed to be a key hiding area for ISIS Somalia militants, who have been fiercely resisting the advancing forces.

In a brief statement, Puntland forces reported that they cleared the valley’s caves of the militants who had been hiding there.

This marks the third phase of the ongoing military offensive.

The operation against the ISIS-affiliated group began in December 2024, and Puntland authorities say that most of the mountainous areas have now been cleared of the group’s presence.

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has supported the operation with aerial strikes targeting ISIS hideouts, while the United Arab Emirates contributed equipment and financial aid.

Kenya and Ethiopia have also provided support to the campaign.

ISIS Somalia is believed to have its main base in the Cal Miskaad and Cal Madow mountain ranges in the Bari region.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab, linked to the Al-Qaeda network, also maintains strongholds in Cal Madow and the Golis mountains.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni announced in December that once the Cal Miskaad operation concludes, troops will advance into the Cal Madow mountains to clear out remaining extremist elements.

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The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among the public. Some residents have embraced the idea enthusiastically, even giving the proposed currency a name—the “Puntland Shilling.”

“It’s a big day for me. I am happy that the Puntland president announced the creation of a Puntland currency,” said Halima, an elderly woman in Garowe.

Others, like Mohamed, a university student, expressed skepticism about the practicality of introducing a regional currency without the involvement of the Somali Federal Government.

Concerns over inflation were also raised by some residents. Ali, a local businessman, warned against potential economic instability, recalling past incidents when counterfeit currency flooded the market, leading to painful inflation.

The Somali Federal Government has not yet commented on the announcement.

On Saturday, President Deni revealed the plan during an event organized by the Puntland Central Bank in Bosaso. “Puntland has been waiting a long time for a unified Somali shilling, but that has not been achieved. Therefore, Puntland has decided to create its own currency,” Deni declared.

He added that the new currency, expected to be introduced in 2025, would coexist with the Somali shilling. He emphasized that the move is not intended as a step toward secession but is aligned with the federal system.

“This decision is about Puntland making independent choices within the framework of federalism until Somalia establishes a comprehensive governance system,” Deni stated.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in Mogadishu. Puntland has frequently accused Mogadishu of sidelining federal states in decision-making processes and failing to uphold the federal principles outlined in Somalia’s provisional constitution.

These disputes have intensified over issues such as resource sharing, international aid distribution, and electoral management.

President Deni has been a vocal critic of what he perceives as Mogadishu’s centralization of power, which he argues undermines the autonomy of federal member states. Conversely, the federal government has accused Puntland of unilateral actions that challenge national unity.

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Speaking at an event organized by the Puntland Central Bank held in Bosaso, President Deni stated, “Puntland has been waiting a long time for a unified Somali shilling, but that has not been achieved. Therefore, Puntland has decided to create its own currency.”

“We hope that the Puntland currency will be introduced in 2025, which will coexist with the Somali shilling,” he added.

President Deni emphasized that this move is not aimed at seceding from Somalia but is based on a federal system. He further stated that Puntland will continue to make independent decisions until Somalia establishes a comprehensive governance system.

The President of #Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, has announced plans for Puntland to create its own currency, separate from the #Somali shilling.

Speaking at an event organized by the Puntland Central Bank in Garowe, President Deni said, “Puntland has waited a long time for the… pic.twitter.com/eCEhBW7eeT

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) December 21, 2024

The announcement comes amid longstanding disputes between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in Mogadishu.

Puntland has frequently accused Mogadishu of marginalizing the federal states in decision-making processes and failing to uphold the principles of federalism outlined in Somalia’s provisional constitution.

These tensions have escalated over issues such as resource sharing, the distribution of international aid, and the management of elections.

President Deni has previously criticized Mogadishu for what he describes as an overreach of power, undermining the autonomy of federal member states. In turn, the federal government has often accused Puntland of acting unilaterally and challenging national unity.

On the other hand, Deni described the leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia under Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as “mad and has lost its mind.”

He stated that Puntland will return once sanity returns to the Federal Government and its leadership.

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