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Puntland security forces have successfully eliminated Ahmed Muse Sidi, a senior leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) group, in a targeted operation in the Togga Miiraale area of the Bari region. Officials confirmed the operation on May 20, 2025, marking a significant blow to ISIS’s presence in northeastern Somalia.
Ahmed Muse Sidi, a key figure in ISIS’s recruitment and operational strategy, had been on Puntland and international security agencies’ radar for years due to his role in expanding the group’s influence. Puntland’s Minister of State for the Presidency, Abdifitax Mohamed Nur, described the killing as a major victory in the fight against terrorism. “This is a major blow to ISIS operations in Puntland. He was one of the group’s most important figures in terms of recruitment and strategy. His death will significantly weaken their operational capacity,” Nur stated.
The operation is part of a broader campaign launched in December 2024 to dismantle ISIS cells entrenched in Puntland’s mountainous regions. Security experts note that while ISIS remains relatively small compared to Al-Shabaab, it has maintained a presence in remote areas, occasionally clashing with government forces and rival militant groups. The elimination of Ahmed Muse Sidi is the highest-ranking ISIS figure to be killed since the launch of this offensive.
Puntland authorities reaffirmed their commitment to continuing military pressure on ISIS and other extremist groups threatening peace and stability in the region. The Puntland government emphasized that operations against ISIS will persist until the group’s influence is fully dismantled.
Security analysts believe that Ahmed Muse Sidi’s death will disrupt ISIS’s recruitment and logistical chains, particularly their connections with foreign jihadist networks. His role in coordinating the movement of foreign fighters into Somalia had made him a critical asset for the group’s expansion efforts.
The Puntland government has not disclosed further details about the operation, including whether additional arrests or casualties occurred. However, officials have reiterated their determination to eliminate ISIS’s presence in the region and prevent the group from regrouping.
ISIS in Somalia remains a smaller but resilient threat compared to the more dominant Al-Shabaab insurgency, with its base of operations largely concentrated in the Bari region of Puntland. The Somali government and regional authorities continue to collaborate on counterterrorism efforts to ensure long-term stability in the country.