Puntland President Says ISIS Largely Defeated in Al-Miskaad Mountains  

Garowe, Somalia – Puntland President Siciid Cabdullaahi Deni opened the 57th session of the parliament on Saturday, addressing security achievements, particularly the fight against ISIS in the Calmiskaad mountains.

Speaking to lawmakers, Deni said the ISIS group had numbered more than 2,000 fighters, mostly foreign nationals, and that Puntland forces had largely defeated them, with only a few militants reportedly still hiding in the Baallade Valley.

He expressed confidence that Puntland forces would soon completely eliminate the remaining ISIS holdouts as part of the “Hillaac” operation in Calmiskaad.

Deni specifically thanked the United States and the United Arab Emirates for supporting Puntland’s efforts against ISIS.

GAROWE ONLINE