More than 30 militants from the Somalia-based Daesh (ISIS) militant group were killed on Wednesday in a series of airstrikes in the northern Puntland province of Bari. The strikes targeted Daesh positions in the Sheebaab area of the Almiskaad Mountains, an area where the group has maintained a stronghold for over a decade.
According to Puntland’s Counterterrorism Operations, most of those killed were foreign nationals, although their countries of origin were not disclosed. The airstrikes also destroyed a supply vehicle transporting essential resources for the militants. The operation is part of Puntland’s ongoing efforts to weaken and dismantle Daesh’s presence in the region.
The airstrikes came just a day after another major operation, which saw more than 60 Daesh militants killed in a coordinated air and ground assault. The Puntland Counterterrorism Operation, led by Gen. Mohamoud Fadhigo, reported that the offensive targeted Daesh strongholds in the mountainous Bari region, further disrupting the group’s activities and dismantling their operational capabilities.
Earlier in February, a US airstrike carried out by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) targeted and killed 14 Daesh fighters, including Ahmed Maeleninine, a key Daesh recruiter, financier, and leader of external operations. Maeleninine was known for organizing the deployment of militants to the US and Europe.
Puntland forces have been actively engaging with Daesh for more than a month, liberating hundreds of square kilometers from their control and significantly weakening the group’s grip over local communities. Despite this progress, Puntland officials have highlighted the continued challenge of Daesh’s presence in the rugged terrain of the Almiskaad Mountains.
The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), led by General Abdirahman Mohamed Jama, has called for additional international support, emphasizing the need for technical assistance such as drone interceptors, mine detectors, and night vision devices. Although the region does not seek direct foreign military intervention, it has requested intelligence-sharing and logistical support to sustain the campaign against Daesh militants in the area.
Puntland’s ongoing operations have been one of the most challenging and prolonged in the fight against Daesh in Somalia. The group’s ability to exploit the difficult landscape of the Bari region has made military operations even more complex, but Puntland forces remain determined to drive them out and restore security to the region.