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Puntland security forces carried out a major operation on Tuesday in the rugged Calmiskaad mountains, killing three ISIS fighters and seizing weapons, according to regional officials.
The raid, which was part of a larger counterterrorism campaign, targeted militants hiding in the area between Maragaale and Kalidaad in Togga Baallade. Security sources say the fighters had been trying to set up bases and supply routes in the mountains to launch attacks against Puntland troops.
The latest offensive comes after Puntland forces captured the Idakacab well, located north of Yucrin, on Monday. That site has long been considered an important hideout and supply point for ISIS-linked fighters operating in the region.
The operations in Calmiskaad are part of an intensive two-week military campaign aimed at weakening ISIS’s presence in Puntland. The campaign has involved both ground operations and airstrikes in the Baallade stream area, with support from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
According to Puntland officials, the goal of the campaign is to dismantle militant strongholds, cut off their supply routes, and restore security in areas where ISIS fighters have been active. The mountainous terrain, however, has made the mission particularly difficult. The Calmiskaad range, with its caves and valleys, has given fighters natural cover and allowed them to regroup even after earlier offensives.
While officials hailed the killing of three ISIS fighters and the seizure of weapons as a success, they also admitted that Puntland forces have suffered significant losses. More than 20 soldiers have been killed and nearly 50 wounded in recent clashes in the Calmiskaad mountains, military officials confirmed.
The casualties underline the challenges Puntland faces in rooting out militants who are deeply entrenched in the region. Despite repeated campaigns over the years, ISIS-linked groups continue to maintain a presence in the mountains, carrying out ambushes, planting landmines, and attacking local security patrols.
ISIS first established a foothold in Somalia in 2015 when a small group of defectors from al-Shabaab declared allegiance to the group. Since then, they have mainly operated in Puntland’s mountains, where difficult terrain provides both shelter and strategic vantage points.
Though their numbers are relatively small compared to al-Shabaab, ISIS fighters in Puntland have proven resilient. They survive through extortion, smuggling, and local support networks. Their presence has forced Puntland to dedicate significant resources to counterinsurgency efforts, often with the help of international partners like the U.S.
For years, Puntland forces have launched repeated offensives to dislodge the group. While some operations have been successful in capturing hideouts and cutting supply routes, the fighters have often managed to return once troops pull back. This cycle of offensives and regrouping has prolonged the conflict and kept the region unstable.
The involvement of U.S. AFRICOM in the recent campaign highlights the international dimension of the fight against ISIS in Somalia. U.S. forces have provided intelligence, air support, and training to Somali and Puntland troops, helping to disrupt militant operations.
Officials say these joint efforts have weakened ISIS in recent years, but the group remains a persistent threat, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. International support has helped Puntland prevent ISIS from expanding beyond its mountain strongholds, but local forces continue to bear the brunt of the fighting.
Despite the heavy losses, Puntland officials remain determined to continue their offensive in Calmiskaad. Military leaders say the goal is not just to kill fighters but also to deny ISIS the ability to rebuild their networks in the region.
The campaign is expected to continue in the coming weeks, focusing on clearing mountain hideouts and securing supply routes. Officials hope that sustained pressure will eventually reduce ISIS’s ability to operate and restore stability in affected areas.
For now, however, the fighting in Calmiskaad underscores the ongoing security challenges facing Puntland. As long as militants remain entrenched in the mountains, the region is likely to continue experiencing cycles of violence, with heavy costs for both security forces and local communities.