Somalia: Puntland Announces Death of Senior ISIS Facilitator in Cal-Miskaad Mountains

Garowe, Somalia – May 20, 2025 – Authorities in Somalia’s northeastern Federal State of Puntland have announced the killing of a senior ISIS operative, identified as Ahmed Muse Said, in an operation carried out in the Cal-Miskaad mountains.

In an official statement released Monday, Puntland security officials confirmed that Ahmed Muse Said, a key figure responsible for coordinating the movement of foreign fighters for the Islamic State (ISIS) in Somalia, was killed during a targeted security operation in the rugged terrain of Cal-Miskaad.

“Ahmed Muse Said was one of the main facilitators for the trafficking and logistics of foreign fighters into the country on behalf of ISIS,” the statement read. “His death is a significant blow to the group’s regional network.”

The operation is part of ongoing counter-terror efforts by Puntland authorities to dismantle ISIS cells operating in the remote mountainous areas of Cal-Miskaad, where the group has maintained a presence in recent years despite sustained pressure.

Security analysts say the elimination of such high-ranking operatives disrupts ISIS’s recruitment and logistical chains, particularly their connections with foreign jihadist networks. Puntland forces made gains against ISIS as they captured key bases from the group since the start of the Hilaac operation in December 2024. 

While Puntland has not disclosed the full details of the operation or whether any additional arrests or casualties occurred, the Puntland government emphasized its commitment to continuing operations against both ISIS and Al-Shabaab militants in the region.

ISIS in Somalia remains a smaller but resilient threat compared to the more dominant Al-Shabaab insurgency, with its base of operations largely concentrated in the Bari region of Puntland.

GAROWE ONLINE