Somalia: ISIS unleashes suicidal fighters in Puntland 

BOSASO, Somalia - The Islamic State militants in Somalia unleashed suicidal fighters in Puntland state just as the war against the group takes shape, almost a year since the region deployed troops to the Cal-Miskaad mountains for a critical operation.

According to reports, the ISIS militants sent suicidal fighters to a security camp in Miiraale valley on Saturday. Puntland forces responded, killing four militants. Three security forces were also killed local media reports.

Puntland forces have vowed to continue with ouster operations, which have entered the critical phase where the military intends to dislodge the group from strategic sites within the Calmiskaad mountains in the Bari region.

The forces killed four ISIS terrorist fugitives who were planning suicide bombings. Operations are continuing to clear the remaining terrorists from the caves where they are hiding in the Cal-Miskaad mountains," read the statement.

This comes a few days after the Puntland forces carried out a targeted airstrike that killed three ISIS fugitives, who had attempted to hide under a tree. The counter-terrorism clearance operation is now entering its final stages, the team said.

Puntland initiated the war against ISIS militants in late 2024, and the state has managed to sustain the operations without support from the federal government of Somalia. However, the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates have been providing aerial support.

According to reports, the government projects that over 90% of the work has been completed, and in the remaining phase, the military is keen to spare women and children from being used as shields by the cornered fighters who are fleeing from the scene.

GAROWE ONLINE