Puntland State has launched a major offensive targeting Daesh militants entrenched in the Almiskaad mountains of Somalia’s Bari region. Over 7,000 heavily armed soldiers are engaged in the operation, named “Hilaac” (lightning), aimed at eradicating the militants, including their leader Sheikh Abdulkadir Mumin.
Puntland Minister of Information Mohamed Aidiid announced that significant progress has been made, with forces dismantling several Daesh hideouts and capturing key supplies, including weapons and food stockpiles. A drone used by Daesh for surveillance was also shot down.
Military officers reported clearing over 70 kilometers of mountainous terrain and neutralizing logistical hubs that sustained the group. Residents near the conflict zones, such as Dharjaale village, described intense overnight fighting, with explosions lighting up the skies.
The militants, reportedly including foreign fighters from Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Morocco, have used the region as a base after being pushed out of the Middle East. A UN report highlighted the influx of foreign fighters into Somalia in recent months, while Puntland officials have accused Daesh of extorting businesses and disrupting local trade.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has declared full-scale war on Daesh, emphasizing the need to eliminate their presence from the region. The United States continues to support Puntland’s efforts in combating both Daesh and Alshabab insurgents in Somalia.