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At least 20 Puntland soldiers were killed and more than 30 others injured in fierce fighting with Islamic State-linked militants in northern Somalia, according to security officials on Friday.
The battle broke out on Thursday in the Baallade valley’s Maraagade well area, located in the Calmiskaad mountains of Bari region. This area has long been considered one of the strongest hideouts for ISIS in Somalia, making it a key target for Puntland security forces.
According to military sources, Puntland troops launched a coordinated assault on what they described as a major weapons and supply base used by the militants. The fighting, which raged for several hours, was described as one of the heaviest and deadliest confrontations between Puntland forces and ISIS in recent months.
By Thursday evening, the clashes had subsided, but security officials confirmed that Puntland forces remained in control of parts of the battlefield. They also maintained a tight siege around the Maraagade well, where several women and children connected to ISIS fighters were believed to be trapped. Officials did not provide further details about their fate but confirmed efforts were underway to secure the area without harming civilians.
Military commanders said their forces had seized strategic positions that had served as key operational centers for ISIS in the region. They emphasized that these gains could significantly weaken the group’s ability to operate in Bari, where it has carried out attacks and maintained supply routes in the past.
“This operation targeted one of the last major strongholds of ISIS in Puntland,” a security official explained. “By capturing these areas, we are closer to dismantling their presence in the mountains.”
The Calmiskaad mountain range has been a base for ISIS-affiliated fighters for years, providing natural cover and difficult terrain that complicates military operations. Puntland forces have conducted several offensives in the area, but Thursday’s battle was one of the most intense, highlighting the group’s continued resistance despite repeated losses.
Officials expressed cautious optimism that the operation could mark a turning point in the fight against ISIS in northern Somalia. They noted that clearing the militants’ hideouts and cutting off their supply networks would be crucial in restoring long-term security in Bari region.
While the full extent of casualties among the militants remains unclear, Puntland authorities insist that ISIS suffered heavy losses. Military leaders said they expect the group to be further weakened in the coming days as operations continue to secure the area.