Puntland Bans Undocumented Foreigners After Killing Dozens of ISIS Fighters

GAROWE, Somalia - Puntland, a federal state in northeastern Somalia, banned undocumented foreigners from entering its territory on Thursday after its troops killed dozens of foreign ISIS fighters in an ongoing military operation in the Al-Miskaad mountains of Bari region.

Puntland security forces reported heavy losses among the Islamic State militants, many identified as non-Somali combatants, in the offensive targeting extremist strongholds in the rugged Al-Miskaad area. Officials said the operation has ramped up in recent weeks.

According to a statement from the Puntland administration, President Said Abdullahi Deni ordered the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Security, and Immigration Agency to enforce the ban. The measure aims to bolster border security and curb infiltration by foreign militants.

In recent days, thousands of Ethiopians were detained in major cities, with most deported back to their country, the statement added. Further details on enforcement plans were not immediately available.

Puntland forces are pressing their campaign in Al-Miskaad to dismantle ISIS networks, with officials vowing to sustain pressure on the group. The operation underscores the enduring threat from extremist factions in Somalia, including ISIS and Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE