Somalia: Puntland forces seize ISIS headquarters in mountains

BOSASO, Somalia - A base believed to be the main headquarters of the ISIS militants in Somalia was seized by the Puntland security forces, the counterterrorism centre said in a statement, marking yet another significant step towards the liberation of the state from the militants.

For the last three months, the Puntland forces, without support from the federal authorities, have managed to topple the militants from strategic areas — they have however, occasionally relied on airstrikes from the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates.

The operations even led to the death of a senior ISIS operative Ahmed Maeleninine, a key ISIS recruiter, financier, and external operations leader responsible for the deployment of jihadists into the United States and across Europe.

According to Puntland forces, concrete houses built by the militants in the Cal-Miskaad mountains were discovered on Saturday, reflecting the commitment by the forces to overwhelm the group, which is behind attacks in the coastal town of Bosaso.

"Our forces today found concrete-built houses in Buqa-Caleed, Calmiskaad mountains, with offices and meeting rooms," the counterterrorism centre reports, just days after a similar cave with an underground tunnel was also discovered.

"These served as a major headquarters for the defeated ISIS terrorists. Two burnt vehicles and other equipment were also discovered," the centre further said, while acknowledging that the airstrikes may have displaced the militants.

Several militants have died since Operation Lightning started, with a significant number surrendering to local authorities as well. The group has lost dozens of foreign nationals who have been training and fighting within Puntland state.

The last phase now aims at toppling the group from the final areas believed to be under their territory, with Puntland insisting that 'with or without Mogadishu's support, we shall win this war'. The military teams are approaching the mountains from different directions.

GAROWE ONLINE