Somalia: Puntland Forces Seize ISIS Hideout as U.S.-Backed Operation Gains Momentum

QANDALA, Somalia – Puntland’s defense forces have taken full control of the strategic area of Elka Wangable, located north of Qandala district in Somalia’s Bari region, following a series of coordinated military operations, officials said Saturday.

Several Puntland army officers confirmed that ISIS militants were pushed out of the area, which had served for years as a key base for the extremist group’s leaders, fighters, and their families.

Elka Wangable, known for its perennial water well, had been a crucial stronghold for ISIS since 2016. Surrounded by mountains and natural caves, the area provided the group with effective cover and a sustainable living environment, making it a long-term base for operations and planning.

Local sources say ISIS fighters vacated the area ahead of the Puntland assault, although their current whereabouts remain unknown. It is suspected that they may have retreated into nearby mountainous terrain.

The location’s proximity to coastal routes also made it strategically valuable, allowing for the smuggling of weapons and supplies. Wangable served as a launchpad for roadside bombings and ambushes, particularly in the Toga-Jeceel area, where multiple attacks on military convoys have occurred in recent years.

Intelligence reports indicate that ISIS began reestablishing its presence in Wangable in late 2024, initially sending women and children before reinforcing the area with fighters and heavy weapons.

This resurgence followed a significant setback suffered during Puntland’s airstrikes on February 11 that targeted their bases in the region.

Puntland authorities have vowed to continue military operations to clear remaining militant hideouts and prevent future regrouping.

GAROWE ONLINE