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Islamic State insurgency in Puntland

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Islamic State insurgency in Puntland
Part of War in Somalia, War against the Islamic State, and Global War on Terrorism
Date22 October 2015 – present
(9 years, 3 months, 1 week and 1 day)
Location
Bari, Somalia
Status Ongoing
Belligerents

 Puntland armed forces

 United States

Supported by:

 United Arab Emirates

 Islamic State (since 2015)[1][2]

Allies
Yemen Wilayah[3]
Somali pirates[4]
Commanders and leaders

Puntland Said Abdullahi Deni
Puntland Ilyas Osman Lugator
Puntland Abdiweli Gaas
Puntland Abdihakim Amey
Puntland Ahmed Elmi Osman

United States Barack Obama
United States Donald Trump
United States Joe Biden
United States Robert Gates
United States Leon Panetta
United States Chuck Hagel
United States Ash Carter
United States Jim Mattis
United States Mark Esper
United States Lloyd Austin

United States Pete Hegseth

Islamic State Abdul Qadir Mumin
(leader of ISS)

Casualties:
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Islamic State insurgency in Puntland started on 22 October 2015 after former al-Shabaab jihadist Abdul Qadir Mumin pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Islamic State, creating the "Islamic State in Somalia" (Abnaa ul-Calipha) and settling in the Galgala region, in Puntland.[5][6][7]

In November 2024, a semi-autonomous state of Puntland declared the major military offensives, led by Puntland security forces, Puntland dervish forces, Puntland Maritime Police Forces and supported by the United States Africa Command launched an offensive against the Islamic State–Somalia in Bari region.[8] The operation was codenamed Hilaac. This is the first time that Puntland forces have launched a military offensive since Qandala campaign in 2016.[9][10][11]

Background

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Qandala taken over by Islamic State

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On October 26, 2016, fighters aligned with the Islamic State captured the small port town of Qandala in Puntland's Bari region. This was the first town Islamic State had taken control of in Somalia, the first notable expansion of their influence beyond their usual mountainous hideouts.[12]

The takeover led to the displacement of over 25,700 civilians and the humanitarian impact of the conflict.[13]

Counter-Offensive

[edit]
Main article: Qandala campaign

Puntland Security Forces (PSF) launched a counter-offensive on December 3, 2016, which took aim at retaking Qandala. This operation involved both land and sea movements and faced resistance from Islamic State fighters, who had set up defenses around the town.[14]

On December 7, 2016, Puntland forces successfully retook Qandala, with no resistance encountered as Islamic State had retreated to the mountainous areas south of the town.[15]

After retaking Qandala, Puntland forces continued their operations into the nearby mountains, where they attacked and destroyed an Islamic State base at El Ladid on December 18, 2016. This was part of efforts to prevent Islamic State from regrouping.[16]

Qandala's capture was both strategically and symbolically important for Islamic State. It provided them with a port for potential supply lines from Yemen and was a symbol of resistance due to historical significance in Somali culture.[16]

The conflict exacerbated humanitarian issues, with schools closed, and the local population facing increased hardships amidst an ongoing drought. Humanitarian aid was provided to some of the displaced in nearby areas that included Buruc village.[13]

Puntland police arrested Islamic State members

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On 26 June 2023, the Puntland Police Force arrested nine foreign individuals from Ethiopia, Sudan and Syria in Amaamo, Balidhidin of the Bari region and released their names.[17]

Clashes

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Dharjaale battle

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On 31 December 2024, The Puntland forces repulsed against Islamic State involved a significant clash in Dharjaale, where Puntland units repelled an attack by Islamic State suicide bombers on a military base.[18] This attack was the first of its kind in terms of scale and sophistication for Islamic State in Somalia, occurring just after Puntland announced a major offensive against both Islamic State and al-Shabaab. The Puntland forces managed to kill several militants, with reports indicating that twelve suicide bombers were among those killed. President Said Abdullahi Deni has been actively involved, meeting with security officials in Bossaso to prepare for this campaign. The offensive is seen as part of a broader strategy to eliminate Islamic State presence in the region, with implications for Islamic State operations across Africa due to the group's financial and logistical connections.[19]

After an Islamic State attack, High-ranking officials, including members of the Task Force, Puntland lawmakers, the Director of the Puntland Maritime Police Force and presidential aides, were at the airport to manage the evacuation and the injured soldiers were flown out of Bosaso Airport to Ethiopia for medical care.[20]

Islamic State mining gold in the Cal Miskaad mountains

[edit]

Puntland officials said they are investigating how Islamic State uses gold mining in Cal-Miskaad of the Bari region to fund its activities. The group is mining gold and other resources in the mountains and taking advantage of the area's rich mineral deposits. Islamic State hires local workers for the mining operations.[21] At the same time, people living in areas controlled by Islamic State are forced to pay money to avoid interference with their lives and work.[21]

2025 Puntland Military Offensive against the Islamic State militants in the Bari Mountains

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On 8 January 2025, the Puntland armed forces greatly increased their fight against Islamic State militants in the Al Miskat mountain range, located in the Bari region. These forces said they are working to block all escape routes and are closing in on areas where the militants are hiding. Puntland’s Counter-Terrorism Operation said their troops are surrounding the Al Miskat mountains and moving into the suspected hideouts. Security operations are also happening in nearby areas like Hamure. The security force is also talked to local people and asked them to not collaborate with the militants. They warned residents to stay away from the group before it was too late.[22]

On 9 January 2025, Puntland forces carry out drone strikes on Islamic State targets in the Cal Miskaad mountains near Balidhidhin District of Bari, The counterterrorism claimed that they killed of several militants.[23][24]

After the aerial assaults, Puntland's counterterrorism forces captured four foreign Islamic State fighters from Ethiopia, Yemen, and Tanzania, while intercepting and destroying multiple explosive-carrying drones in Bari region.[25][26]

Battle of Laba-Afle

[edit]

On January 20, 2025, At least twenty people were killed, and over 10 others injured in two days of Laba-Afle battle between Islamic State militia members and Puntland armed forces near the Cal Miskat mountains of Bari region.[27]

Puntland counterterrorism unit operation's spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, reported that fifteen IS militants and six Puntland soldiers died during the Sunday and Monday fighting. He added that IS fighters used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to defend their hideouts near Balidhidin. A landmine explosion killed six soldiers and injured three others while they were clearing the area.[28]

Ahmed also mentioned that Puntland forces killed eight IS militants during the operation, which extended into Monday.[29]

Reactions

[edit]

On 23 January 2025, Puntland Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor has accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration of obstructing the evacuation of war casualties in the fight against ISIS. Speaking on Thursday, Ilyas criticized the federal government for hindering humanitarian operations instead of assisting Puntland’s counterterrorism efforts.[30]

“We do not seek support from the federal government, as it has failed to assist us in combating ISIS. The most recent evacuation of injured personnel was blocked due to their refusal of consent,” he alleged.[30]

Ilyas further claimed that Puntland had received no share of international counterterrorism aid allocated to Somalia, despite its frontline role against ISIS. Highlighting Puntland’s successes, he stated, “Over 65% of the territory previously controlled by ISIS has been reclaimed. Puntland does not and will not require external troops, whether from the federal government or elsewhere.”[30]

Timeline

[edit]

January 2025

[edit]
  • On 1 January, Islamic State has publicly shared pictures of a suicide assault against Puntland, revealing that none of the attackers were Somali. The militants reported 12 perpetrators with nationalities and 7 country names. Included two Tanzanians, two Saudis, two Moroccans, and individuals from Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, and Ethiopia.[31]
  • On 2 January, The Puntland armed forces claims to have conducted airstrikes on Islamic State hideouts in parts of the Cal Miskaad mountains of the Bari region.[26][32]
  • On 9 January, Puntland armed forces carried out airstrikes on Islamic State positions in mountain regions of the Balidhidhin District. They also carried out an operation in which they arrested four foreign fighters who originated from Ethiopia, Yemen, and Tanzania, and destroyed several explosives-laden drones.[23]
  • On 10 January, Puntland forces fight against ISIS in the IL-Ameira mountains, stopping seven drones loaded with bombs and removing ten landmines.[33] The forces also destroy five ISIS bases. They capture military bases, including a water well in Jeceel Valley near Cal Miskaad mountains of Balidhidhin District, Bari, Puntland.[34]
  • On 11 January, The Counterterrorism Forces of Puntland's disclosed a cave that was being used to store food by ISIL was captured by Puntland forces in Al-Miskad mountains, killed ISIL fighters and captured including foreigners and destroyed improvised explosive devices and hideouts,[35] and downed three explosives-laden drones as the troops continued their thunder offensive against ISIL militants hiding in the remote areas of the Bari region, Puntland.[36][37]
  • On 13 January, Twenty-six ISIS militants are reported killed, including a female combatant and two soldiers,[38] and several others are injured when Puntland forces capture eight ISIS bases during ongoing offensive military operations in Bari.[39][40][41]
  • On 16 January, the Puntland Security Force (PSF) claimed to have captured a training facility used by ISIS militants, with over forty ISIS fighters allegedly killed following heavy fighting.[42]
  • On 24 January, at least thirteen Islamic State militants were killed in heavy fighting as Puntland forces claimed that they successfully took over the towns of Turmasaale and Janno-Jiifta in the Bari region.[43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ISIL's First East African Affiliate Conducts Attacks in Somalia, Kenya". DefenseNews. 29 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Somalia: Pro-ISIL militants, Al Shabaab clash in deadly Puntland infighting". Garowe Online. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  3. ^ Harun Maruf (28 October 2016). "Somali Officials Vow to Retake Puntland Town". Voice of America. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  4. ^ Robyn Kriel; Briana Duggan (10 July 2017). "CNN Exclusive: Somali pirate kings are under investigation for helping ISIS and al-Shabaab". CNN. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  5. ^ Zelin, Aaron Y. (22 October 2015). "New audio message from Shaykh 'Abd al-Qādir Mū 'min: "Bay'ah From Him and a Group of Mujāhidīn of Somalia to the Caliph of the Muslims Abū Bakr al-Baghdādī"".
  6. ^ "Shabaab's leadership fights Islamic State's attempted expansion in East Africa – The Long War Journal". 26 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Small group of Somali al Shabaab swear allegiance to Islamic State". Reuters. 23 October 2015.
  8. ^ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2024-11-30). "Puntland Plans Major Military Offensive Against ISIS in Bari and Sanaag Mountains". Idil News. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  9. ^ "Oil-Rich Somali Region Plans New Offensive Against Islamic State". Bloomberg.com. 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  10. ^ Weiss, Caleb (2024-12-31). "Analysis: Puntland forces repel Islamic State suicide assault". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  11. ^ Dalmar (2024-09-26). "President Deni Vows to Eradicate Al-Shabab and IS-Somalia from their Mountainous Hideouts". Somali News in English | The Somali Digest. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  12. ^ Gaffey, Conor (2016-10-26). "ISIS-Aligned Militants Seize Town in Somali Region". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  13. ^ a b "OCHA Somalia Flash Update – Humanitarian impact of fighting in Qandala, Puntland | 6 December 2016 – Somalia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  14. ^ Omar, Feisal; Sheikh, Abdi (27 October 2016). "Islamic State-aligned group takes Somali town, say officials". Reuters.
  15. ^ "Forces Retake Somali Town Held by Pro-Islamic State Fighters". Voice of America. 2016-12-07. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  16. ^ a b "Regional Somali Forces 'Destroy' Islamic State Base". Voice of America. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  17. ^ "Top ISIS Commander Among Suspects Apprehended in Puntland Anti-Terror Operations". The Somali Digest. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  18. ^ "Foreign Fighters Killed in Foiled ISIS Attack in Somalia's Puntland". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  19. ^ "Somalia: ISIS Attack in Somalia – Foreign Fighters Killed in Puntland Army Base Assault – Minister". Shabelle Media Network. 2024-12-31. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  20. ^ "Puntland Evacuates Injured Soldiers to Ethiopia After ISIS Attack". hornobserver.com. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  21. ^ a b "ISIS Believed to Engage in Gold Mining in Puntland to Fund Its Activities". hornobserver.com. 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  22. ^ "Puntland forces tighten noose around ISIS militants in Bari mountains". Halqabsi News. 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  23. ^ a b "Puntland Forces Conduct Airstrikes on ISIS Positions Around Balidhidin of Bari Region". Idil News. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  24. ^ "Duqeymo ka dhacay degaano ka mid ah gobolka Bari". Voice of America (in Somali). 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  25. ^ "Islamic State Foreign Fighters Surrender in Somalia's Puntland Amid Offensive". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  26. ^ a b 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2025-01-02). "Puntland Forces Conduct Airstrikes on ISIS Positions in Bari Region". Idil News. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  27. ^ "Wararkii ugu dambeeyey dagaalka ciidamada Puntland, iyo Daacish". Voice of America (in Somali). 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  28. ^ "Somalia: Over 20 killed as Puntland forces battle Islamic State militants". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  29. ^ "Over 20 killed in clash between security forces, Islamic State fighters in Somalia". Voice of America. 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  30. ^ a b c Adinda, Charles (2025-01-23). "Puntland accuses Somali government of sabotaging anti-ISIS operation". The Eastleigh Voice News. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  31. ^ Jama (2025-01-01). "IS-Somalia's Dharjaale Attack: 12 Fighters from 7 Nations, Zero Somalis". Somali News in English | The Somali Digest. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  32. ^ "Puntland oo sheegatay duqeyn ka dhan ah Daacish". VOA. 2 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  33. ^ "Puntland Forces Gain Ground in Offensive Against ISIS Stronghold | Horseed Media". Horseed Media – Latest Somali News & Analysis. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  34. ^ "Ciidamada Puntland oo burburiyay 5 saldhig oo ay lahaayeen Daacish". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  35. ^ "Somalia: Puntland Troops Make Gains in Large-scale Offensive Against ISIS". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  36. ^ "Puntland oo sheegtay in ay guulo ka gaartay dagaalka ay kula jirto Daacish". Voice of America (in Somali). 2025-01-11. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  37. ^ Jama (2025-01-11). "Puntland Advances Against IS-Somalia, Claims FGS Is Compromised". Somali News in English | The Somali Digest. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  38. ^ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2025-01-13). "Puntland Forces Kill 26 ISIS Militants in Major Offensive in Bari Region". Idil News. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  39. ^ "Dhegeyso: Puntland oo fahfaahin ka bixisay howlgallo dhowaan laga fuliyay deegaanno ay joogaan Daacish". BBC News Somali (in Somali). 2025-01-13. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  40. ^ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "Several IS Fighters Killed In Somalia's Puntland State". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  41. ^ "Several Daesh fighters killed in Somalia's Puntland state". Arab News. 2025-01-14. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  42. ^ Puntland forces record major victories against ISIS in Somalia
  43. ^ Puntland Forces Seize Key Towns from ISIS, Gain Strategic Advantage in Bari Region
  44. ^ "Puntland deports hundreds of undocumented Ethiopians over ISIS recruitment concerns". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
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