Somalia's Puntland Braces for Major Assault on Al-Shabaab, ISIS Militants 

BOSASO, Somalia - Puntland has ramped up preparations for a major offensive against both Al-Shabaab and ISIS militants in the mountain areas of Bari region, with thousands of troops and heavy military equipment at the ready.

The operation, described by senior military officials as a pivotal move to dismantle the strongholds of these groups, comes after weeks of strategic planning led by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni directly from the region. The president has underscored the urgent threat these insurgents pose to local security.

U.N. Report Reveals Surge in ISIS Influence in Somalia

A November 2024 United Nations document underscores the escalating presence of ISIS in Somalia, driven by an influx of foreign fighters. The report estimates that ISIS has now grown to between 600 and 700 members, marking a doubling of its previous strength.

This influx includes combatants from the Middle East using both sea and land routes to enter Puntland, which has significantly increased the group's operational prowess, putting them in direct competition with Al-Shabaab for territorial control.

Puntland was established in in 1998, and is one of Somalia's five federal states and sits atop vast oil reserves. The planned military action marks a significant escalation in Puntland's battle against the militant groups' presence within its territory and combats insurgent threats.

GAROWE ONLINE