Somalia: ISIS fighters lose more ground in Puntland offensive

BOSASO, Somalia - The Operation Lightning continues to yield positive results within the Cal-Miskaad mountains in Puntland, the counterterrorism centre reports, following concerted efforts by the regional troops to drive the fighters away from the state.

According to the counterterrorism center, Puntland troops discovered a training cave for the fighters within Lugta Garared and Sul Sul, located just inside the Calmiskaad mountains in the Bari region, as the operation entered the final phase.

The operation led to the discovery of an Arabic curriculum projector and an identity card belonging to a Tanzanian terrorist. ISIS-Somalia terrorists have recruited fighters from around East Africa, with some also coming from Ethiopia and Morocco.

"Our forces uncovered an ISIS terrorist training cave between Lugta Garared and Sul Sul in the Calmiskat mountains. Seized: Arabic curriculum, projector, Tanzanian terrorist ID, and more. Final clearance ops ongoing to eliminate remaining fighters and fleeing leaders," the centre said.

The Calmiskaad mountains are the main training base for the militants, but so far, many caves have been destroyed, pushing the militants further outside the territory, with the ground forces making significant gains from different frontlines.

Elsewhere, Puntland troops seized a vehicle carrying food items, with two men driving it also arrested in the process. The vehicle was captured near Bosaso, headed to Calmiskaad mountains, the counterterrorism centre further said.

"We are investigating a vehicle carrying food supplies and two men driving it, captured by our forces while transporting food from Bosaso," read the statement.
"As the anti-ISIS operations in Calmiskat continue, no supplies will pass through without government notification."

Puntland has been fighting alongside the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates force, who help in aerial surveillance. But the input of the federal government of Somalia has been questioned, with Mogadishu accused of failing to give support to the Puntland forces.

GAROWE ONLINE