Fierce fighting between Daesh militants and Puntland security forces over two days has resulted in more than 20 fatalities and left over 10 others injured. The clashes occurred during an operation targeting militant hideouts in Somalia’s Bari region.
According to Puntland security officials, 15 Daesh fighters and seven soldiers were killed in the confrontations on Sunday and Monday. The militants reportedly used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to defend their positions in the Ufeyn area. One such device detonated during a demining operation, killing six soldiers and injuring three others.
Puntland forces responded by neutralizing eight Daesh fighters near the Cal Miskat mountains. On Monday, further clashes in the Laba-Afle area left seven militants dead, while one soldier was killed, and four others were injured.
The military offensive, launched last month, focuses on eliminating Daesh fighters entrenched in the rugged terrain of the Bari region. Puntland’s leader, Said Abdullahi Deni, has called for public support to ensure the success of the operation.
While Daesh remains a smaller threat compared to al-Shabab in Somalia, experts warn of the group’s growing influence. Its membership is estimated to have increased to 500-600 fighters, including recruits from the Middle East and northern Africa.
Daesh in Somalia was established in 2015 by former al-Shabab commander Abdulkadir Mumin, who pledged allegiance to Daesh leadership. Recent reports indicate that the group continues to expand its activities across East Africa, posing a rising security challenge.