Islamic State insurgency in Puntland

Islamic State insurgency in Puntland
	Part of War in Somalia, War against the Islamic State, and Global War on Terrorism
Date	22 October 2015 – present; (9 years, 3 months, 1 week and 3 days)
Location	Bari, Somalia
Status	Ongoing
Belligerents
Puntland armed forces Puntland Security Force ; Puntland Dervish Force ; Puntland Maritime Police Force ; Puntland Police Force ; United States AFRICOM ; Supported by: United Arab Emirates	Islamic State (since 2015) Somalia Wilayah ; Allies; Yemen Wilayah ; Somali pirates
Commanders and leaders
Said Abdullahi Deni ; Ilyas Osman Lugator ; Abdiweli Gaas ; Abdihakim Amey ; Ahmed Elmi Osman Contents Background ; Qandala taken over by Islamic State ; Counter-Offensive ; Puntland police arrested Islamic State members ; Clashes ; Dharjaale battle ; Islamic State mining gold in the Cal Miskaad mountains ; 2025 Puntland Military Offensive against the Islamic State militants in the Bari Mountains ; Battle of Laba-Afle ; Reactions ; Timeline ; January 2025 ; References ; Barack Obama ; Donald Trump ; Joe Biden ; Robert Gates ; Leon Panetta ; Chuck Hagel ; Ash Carter ; Jim Mattis ; Mark Esper ; Lloyd Austin ; Pete Hegseth	Abdul Qadir Mumin ; (leader of ISS) Casualties: Mahad Maalin † ; Abdihakim Mohamed Ibrahim ("Dhoqob") † ; Bilal al-Sudani † ;
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Last updated February 01, 2025

The Islamic State insurgency in Puntland started on 22 October 2015 after former al-Shabaab jihadist Abdul Qadir Mumin pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Islamic State, creating the "Islamic State in Somalia" (Abnaa ul-Calipha) and settling in the Galgala region, in Puntland.^[5]^[6]^[7]

In November 2024, a semi-autonomous state of Puntland declared the major military offensives, led by Puntland security forces, Puntland dervish forces, Puntland Maritime Police Forces and supported by the United States Africa Command launched an offensive against the Islamic State–Somalia in Bari region.^[8] The operation was codenamed Hilaac. This is the first time that Puntland forces have launched a military offensive since Qandala campaign in 2016.^[9]^[10]^[11]

Background

Qandala taken over by Islamic State

On October 26, 2016, fighters aligned with the Islamic State captured the small port town of Qandala in Puntland's Bari region. This was the first town Islamic State had taken control of in Somalia, the first notable expansion of their influence beyond their usual mountainous hideouts.^[12]

The takeover led to the displacement of over 25,700 civilians and the humanitarian impact of the conflict.^[13]

Counter-Offensive

Puntland Security Forces (PSF) launched a counter-offensive on December 3, 2016, which took aim at retaking Qandala. This operation involved both land and sea movements and faced resistance from Islamic State fighters, who had set up defenses around the town.^[14]

On December 7, 2016, Puntland forces successfully retook Qandala, with no resistance encountered as Islamic State had retreated to the mountainous areas south of the town.^[15]

After retaking Qandala, Puntland forces continued their operations into the nearby mountains, where they attacked and destroyed an Islamic State base at El Ladid on December 18, 2016. This was part of efforts to prevent Islamic State from regrouping.^[16]

Qandala's capture was both strategically and symbolically important for Islamic State. It provided them with a port for potential supply lines from Yemen and was a symbol of resistance due to historical significance in Somali culture.^[16]

The conflict exacerbated humanitarian issues, with schools closed, and the local population facing increased hardships amidst an ongoing drought. Humanitarian aid was provided to some of the displaced in nearby areas that included Buruc village.^[13]

Puntland police arrested Islamic State members

On 26 June 2023, the Puntland Police Force arrested nine foreign individuals from Ethiopia, Sudan and Syria in Amaamo, Balidhidin of the Bari region and released their names.^[17]

Clashes

Dharjaale battle

On 31 December 2024, The Puntland forces repulsed against Islamic State involved a significant clash in Dharjaale, where Puntland units repelled an attack by Islamic State suicide bombers on a military base.^[18] This attack was the first of its kind in terms of scale and sophistication for Islamic State in Somalia, occurring just after Puntland announced a major offensive against both Islamic State and al-Shabaab. The Puntland forces managed to kill several militants, with reports indicating that twelve suicide bombers were among those killed. President Said Abdullahi Deni has been actively involved, meeting with security officials in Bossaso to prepare for this campaign. The offensive is seen as part of a broader strategy to eliminate Islamic State presence in the region, with implications for Islamic State operations across Africa due to the group's financial and logistical connections.^[19]

After an Islamic State attack, High-ranking officials, including members of the Task Force, Puntland lawmakers, the Director of the Puntland Maritime Police Force and presidential aides, were at the airport to manage the evacuation and the injured soldiers were flown out of Bosaso Airport to Ethiopia for medical care.^[20]

Islamic State mining gold in the Cal Miskaad mountains

Puntland officials said they are investigating how Islamic State uses gold mining in Cal-Miskaad of the Bari region to fund its activities. The group is mining gold and other resources in the mountains and taking advantage of the area's rich mineral deposits. Islamic State hires local workers for the mining operations.^[21] At the same time, people living in areas controlled by Islamic State are forced to pay money to avoid interference with their lives and work.^[21]

2025 Puntland Military Offensive against the Islamic State militants in the Bari Mountains

On 8 January 2025, the Puntland armed forces greatly increased their fight against Islamic State militants in the Al Miskat mountain range, located in the Bari region. These forces said they are working to block all escape routes and are closing in on areas where the militants are hiding. Puntland’s Counter-Terrorism Operation said their troops are surrounding the Al Miskat mountains and moving into the suspected hideouts. Security operations are also happening in nearby areas like Hamure. The security force is also talked to local people and asked them to not collaborate with the militants. They warned residents to stay away from the group before it was too late.^[22]

On 9 January 2025, Puntland forces carry out drone strikes on Islamic State targets in the Cal Miskaad mountains near Balidhidhin District of Bari, The counterterrorism claimed that they killed of several militants.^[23]^[24]

After the aerial assaults, Puntland's counterterrorism forces captured four foreign Islamic State fighters from Ethiopia, Yemen, and Tanzania, while intercepting and destroying multiple explosive-carrying drones in Bari region.^[25]^[26]

Battle of Laba-Afle

On January 20, 2025, At least twenty people were killed, and over 10 others injured in two days of Laba-Afle battle between Islamic State militia members and Puntland armed forces near the Cal Miskat mountains of Bari region.^[27]

Puntland counterterrorism unit operation's spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, reported that fifteen IS militants and six Puntland soldiers died during the Sunday and Monday fighting. He added that IS fighters used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to defend their hideouts near Balidhidin. A landmine explosion killed six soldiers and injured three others while they were clearing the area.^[28]

Ahmed also mentioned that Puntland forces killed eight IS militants during the operation, which extended into Monday.^[29]

Reactions

On 23 January 2025, Puntland Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor has accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration of obstructing the evacuation of war casualties in the fight against ISIS. Speaking on Thursday, Ilyas criticized the federal government for hindering humanitarian operations instead of assisting Puntland’s counterterrorism efforts.^[30]

“We do not seek support from the federal government, as it has failed to assist us in combating ISIS. The most recent evacuation of injured personnel was blocked due to their refusal of consent,” he alleged.^[30]

Ilyas further claimed that Puntland had received no share of international counterterrorism aid allocated to Somalia, despite its frontline role against ISIS. Highlighting Puntland’s successes, he stated, “Over 65% of the territory previously controlled by ISIS has been reclaimed. Puntland does not and will not require external troops, whether from the federal government or elsewhere.”^[30]

Timeline

January 2025

On 1 January, Islamic State has publicly shared pictures of a suicide assault against Puntland, revealing that none of the attackers were Somali. The militants reported 12 perpetrators with nationalities and 7 country names. Included two Tanzanians, two Saudis, two Moroccans, and individuals from Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, and Ethiopia.^[31]
On 2 January, The Puntland armed forces claims to have conducted airstrikes on Islamic State hideouts in parts of the Cal Miskaad mountains of the Bari region.^[26]^[32]
On 9 January, Puntland armed forces carried out airstrikes on Islamic State positions in mountain regions of the Balidhidhin District. They also carried out an operation in which they arrested four foreign fighters who originated from Ethiopia, Yemen, and Tanzania, and destroyed several explosives-laden drones.^[23]
On 10 January, Puntland forces fight against ISIS in the IL-Ameira mountains, stopping seven drones loaded with bombs and removing ten landmines.^[33] The forces also destroy five ISIS bases. They capture military bases, including a water well in Jeceel Valley near Cal Miskaad mountains of Balidhidhin District, Bari, Puntland.^[34]
On 11 January, The Counterterrorism Forces of Puntland's disclosed a cave that was being used to store food by ISIL was captured by Puntland forces in Al-Miskad mountains, killed ISIL fighters and captured including foreigners and destroyed improvised explosive devices and hideouts,^[35] and downed three explosives-laden drones as the troops continued their thunder offensive against ISIL militants hiding in the remote areas of the Bari region, Puntland.^[36]^[37]
On 13 January, Twenty-six ISIS militants are reported killed, including a female combatant and two soldiers,^[38] and several others are injured when Puntland forces capture eight ISIS bases during ongoing offensive military operations in Bari.^[39]^[40]^[41]
On 16 January, the Puntland Security Force (PSF) claimed to have captured a training facility used by ISIS militants, with over forty ISIS fighters allegedly killed following heavy fighting.^[42]
On 22 January, Puntland mobilized a helicopter to support its current campaign against the Islamic State, aiding in supply transport and medical evacuations in the state’s rugged terrain.^[43] The aircraft will deliver essential supplies, including medicine, to frontline soldiers in naturally impassable areas. Officials have not disclosed the helicopter’s origin.^[44]
On 23 January:
- Puntland authorities ban illegal foreign entries and direct telecom firms to deactivate SIM cards linked to undocumented individuals and Islamic State operatives, aiming to disrupt the group's financial networks amidst ongoing anti-IS offensives by Puntland forces.^[45]^[46]
- Puntland's highest military court sentences two influencers to prison terms in absentia for promoting Islamic State propaganda and spreading disinformation intended at discrediting Puntland forces' ongoing operations.^[47]^[48]
- At least four civilians are killed in an airstrike by an unknown combat drone in the Sihan area of Qandala district in Puntland's Bari region.^[49]^[50]
On 24 January, at least thirteen Islamic State militants were killed in heavy fighting as Puntland forces claimed that they successfully took over the towns of Turmasaale and Janno-Jiifta in the Bari region.^[51]

On 29 January, Puntland deports around a thousand undocumented Ethiopians from Bosaso, Galkayo, Qardho and the state’s capital, Garoowe, as part of an ongoing crackdown on foreigners without legal status, following the discovery of foreign fighters acting as Islamic State recruiters in the Cal Miskaad mountains.^[52]

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