Somalia: Puntland Forces Poised to Wipe Out ISIS Presence in Al-Miskaad Mountains

GAROWE, Somalia - Somalia's oldest Federal State, Puntland, is upbeat about defeating ISIS militants operating in the vast mountains within the Bari region, following the ongoing operations against the group within the Cal-Miskaad mountains, which have lasted for twelve months.

Said Abdullahi Deni, the president of Puntland, said both ISIS militants and the al-Shabaab are losing to Puntland forces, noting that the operation will not stop until the two groups are defeated by security teams.

The offensive, he said, has already displaced ISIS terrorists from their hideouts in Cal-Miskaad, with the group now using women and children as shields on the battlefield, further derailing the last phase of the war against the group.

Calmness has been restored in strategic areas within Cal-Miskaad as the Puntland forces extend the operational planning and execution with the help of the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates.

“The terrain is extremely difficult; even vehicles cannot reach some areas,” the president told reporters. “But our forces are making real progress, and our determination remains firm: these groups will be eliminated.”

Both the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates have been consistent in the fight against ISIS terrorists, with President Donald Trump making an announcement in person in February after a US operation.

Deni praised the “resilience and courage” of local troops and ordered increased vigilance in towns and trading hubs to block extremist infiltration. “Peace and stability for our people is non-negotiable,” he said. “We will not stop until every last threat is removed.”

Said Deni has led the military offensive without support from the weak administration in Mogadishu, which is accused of orchestrating political wrangles instead of focusing on the fight against violent extremist groups.

GAROWE ONLINE