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Strategic offensive near Balade and Miraale disrupts ISIS hideouts, killing foreign fighters and destroying weapons cache
Puntland’s elite Dervish forces have killed more than 35 ISIS militants, including several foreign fighters, during a large military operation carried out on Tuesday. The operation took place in a rural area between Miraale and Balade, in Somalia’s Bari region.
Military commanders said many of the ISIS members were killed while trying to escape through the mountains. Some of the bodies were shown to the media, and officials confirmed that several of the dead fighters were foreigners. In addition to killing the militants, Puntland troops destroyed a large stash of weapons and equipment that the group was using.
This area, located near the Balade River close to Bosaso, has become a key hiding place for ISIS fighters who are fleeing from ongoing airstrikes and ground attacks. Officials now believe that remaining ISIS members are using this river zone to regroup and plan their next moves.
The latest operation comes just one week after another major success by Puntland forces. Last week, they captured the ISIS command center in the Miraale Valley. That area had been a stronghold for the group for many years and served as a base for planning attacks and training new fighters.
Puntland authorities have recently increased their military operations against ISIS. The rugged and mountainous terrain in Bari has made it difficult in the past to track down fighters, but officials say they are now more determined than ever to clear the region of extremists.
“This operation is a big step forward in our fight against ISIS,” one commander said. “We are committed to continuing these efforts until every last militant is removed from our land.”
The government of Puntland has also called for stronger cooperation with Somalia’s federal government and international allies. They believe that defeating extremist groups like ISIS requires joint action and support from the wider global community.
The recent string of operations shows that Puntland is stepping up its counterterrorism efforts. Leaders say they are not only fighting to protect their own people but also to bring peace and security to the entire Horn of Africa.
“ISIS and other terror groups are a threat to everyone, not just Puntland,” one official said. “We must all work together to make sure they have no place to hide.”
So far, the renewed offensive has weakened the group’s presence in Bari, a region that had become a safe zone for ISIS fighters due to its difficult landscape. Officials are now focusing on maintaining pressure and preventing the militants from regrouping.
Security experts say continued military action, combined with strong intelligence sharing and regional cooperation, will be key to defeating extremist groups in Somalia.
The Puntland government has promised to keep the public informed about their progress and remains committed to restoring peace in areas once controlled by militants.
In the coming weeks, more operations are expected as Puntland forces push forward with their mission to rid the region of ISIS and secure lasting stability for the people of Bari and beyond.