ISIS Loses Ground in Puntland as Final Offensive Gains Momentum

GAROWE, Somalia - The ISIS militants in the northeastern state of Somalia — Puntland, are increasingly losing ground as the region pulls the final assault on the group, whose activities had raised concerns among stakeholders, including the US State Department of the US.

Last week, the Puntland security forces launched the third and final phase against ISIS militants, with local authorities exuding confidence in defeating the group, which is limited to the Bari region within the Cal-Miskaad mountains.

Just upon the launch of the third phase, the fighting in Miraale valley, one of three areas where the militants are hiding, was reportedly intense. The terrain appears to be challenging. In Curaar valley, the militants launched an attack on government forces four nights ago, losing 7 men.

No fighting has been reported in the vicinity of Karinka Qandala to the north of Tog Jaceel valley, where militants are still suspected to be holed up. But to a large extent, the militants have lost ground in all aspects, including some of the strategic forward operating bases.

Security analysts believe the militants have stocked food and weapons in multiple locations in an attempt to prolong the war. The motivation level of Puntland forces is reportedly still high and could prove decisive, though it’s difficult to say how long the operation will last, analysts say.

Further, it is now clear that the majority of ISIS fighters are from outside Somalia, including top wanted individuals. The fact majority of them are foreigners eventually could work against the militants as they will struggle to mix in with the locals.

Another advantage is that locals are now more confident to report ISIS activities to the security forces. It’s crucial that Puntland builds on that and not squanders public support. Members of the public work closely with security teams on the frontlines by providing intelligence reports.

However, the whereabouts of ISIS leaders are not known. Emir Abdulkadir is unlikely to be on the frontlines, which requires him to move regularly, given his age, security sources believe. They assess that he is in a different zone where there is no fighting, or may have left Somalia well before the military operations started.

The speculation is that he is either in Yemen or Sudan, where ISIS could exploit that country’s civil war. Last year, the US released a statement confirming his death, but the reports would later be reversed following intense scrutiny by the US Africa Command.

But the final assault against the group has significantly helped the group to control strategic bases, including an explosives factory where the group depends on for manufacturing and assembling weapons. The group controls sections of the Bari region, though.

GAROWE ONLINE