Somalia: Puntland says key ISIS leaders killed in Calmiskaad offensive, new phase underway

GAROWE, Somalia, July 5 – Puntland defense forces officials said that seven senior Islamic State (ISIS) leaders were killed during the latest phase of a military offensive in the Calmiskaad mountains of the Bari region, significantly weakening the group’s presence.

The offensive, known as Operation Hilaac, entered its fourth phase this week after Puntland Counter-Terrorism Forces cleared ISIS fighters from a 420-kilometre stretch of mountainous terrain in northeastern Somalia.

Officials named the militants killed in Phase 3 of the operation as:

1. Abdihakim Badiin (Yemen), head of policing
2. Marwan Abdrizk (Tunisia), chief of foreign fighters
3. Barow Abdi Mo'alim (Somalia), administrative head
4. Ahmed Salah Sudani (Sudan), in charge of religious outreach
5. Ibrahim Hayyan (Morocco), explosives chief
6. Dr. Hakeem Ubeyda (Malaysia), head of medical operations
7. Ahmed Muse Said (Somalia), external relations coordinator

“The Hilaac operation, which started in December 2024, has so far wiped out nearly 85% of ISIS leadership in the region,” a Puntland security source told Garowe Online, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

Authorities said Phase 4 of the operation is now underway, focusing on eliminating the remaining ISIS fugitives and setting the stage for Operation Onkod, aimed at driving out Al-Shabaab militants from the Calmadow mountain range in the neighbouring Sanaag region.

Puntland forces also presented a captured ISIS fighter, identified as Hassan Atar, a Turkish national apprehended during recent operations. He is currently in custody and being interrogated.

The oil-rich Puntland state has stepped up counter-terrorism efforts in recent months as ISIS and Al-Shabaab compete for influence in the Bari region.

GAROWE ONLINE