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Africa Horn

ISIS Loses Ground in Puntland as Final Offensive Gains Momentum

2025-04-26

[Garowe] The ISIS snuffies in the northeastern state of Somalia — Puntland
...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
, are increasingly losing ground as the region pulls the final assault on the group, whose activities had raised concerns among stakeholders, including the US State Department of the US.

Last week, the Puntland security forces launched the third and final phase against ISIS bully boys, with local authorities exuding confidence in defeating the group, which is limited to the Bari region within the Cal-Miskaad mountains.

Just upon the launch of the third phase, the fighting in Miraale valley, one of three areas where the snuffies are hiding, was reportedly intense. The terrain appears to be challenging. In Curaar valley, the snuffies launched an attack on government forces four nights ago, losing 7 men.

No fighting has been reported in the vicinity of Karinka Qandala to the north of Tog Jaceel valley, where snuffies are still suspected to be holed up. But to a large extent, the snuffies have lost ground in all aspects, including some of the strategic forward operating bases.

Security analysts believe the snuffies have stocked food and weapons in multiple locations in an attempt to prolong the war. The motivation level of Puntland forces is reportedly still high and could prove decisive, though it’s difficult to say how long the operation will last, analysts say.

Further, it is now clear that the majority of ISIS fighters are from outside Somalia, including top wanted individuals. The fact majority of them are foreigners eventually could work against the snuffies as they will struggle to mix in with the locals.

Another advantage is that locals are now more confident to report ISIS activities to the security forces. It’s crucial that Puntland builds on that and not squanders public support. Members of the public work closely with security teams on the frontlines by providing intelligence reports.

However,
we can't all be heroes. Somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by...
the whereabouts of ISIS leaders are not known. Emir Abdulkadir is unlikely to be on the frontlines, which requires him to move regularly, given his age, security sources believe. They assess that he is in a different zone where there is no fighting, or may have left Somalia well before the military operations started.

The speculation is that he is either in Yemen
...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of...
or Sudan
Sudan

...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...
, where ISIS could exploit that country’s civil war. Last year, the US released a statement confirming his death, but the reports would later be reversed following intense scrutiny by the US Africa Command.

But the final assault against the group has significantly helped the group to control strategic bases, including an explosives factory where the group depends on for manufacturing and assembling weapons. The group controls sections of the Bari region, though.

Posted by:trailing wife

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