Defeating ISIS in Puntland
Continued Progress in Somalia’s Counterterrorism Campaign
April 10, 2025 | Garowe, Puntland
By Mohamed Abdi, Founder and Researcher, Foxnile Consulting Group Inc.
Puntland’s determined military campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS), known locally as Daacish, continues to gain momentum under Operation Hilaac (Red Tiger). The operation, launched earlier this year, remains in full swing with Puntland Defense Forces (PDF) steadily dismantling ISIS remnants across the Bari region in northeastern Somalia.
Strategic Advances in Tasjiic and Xabley
In recent weeks, Puntland forces have achieved significant victories by reclaiming Tasjiic and Xabley, two villages that had long served as strategic ISIS hideouts. These locations, nestled between rugged hills in the Bari region, were critical operational bases used by ISIS militants to coordinate attacks and expand their influence.
The push into these villages followed months of heightened terrorist activity. In late January 2025, ISIS militants planted a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) in Tasjiic, targeting a Puntland Defense Forces convoy — an attack that claimed the lives of six soldiers. Shortly after, a landmine explosion in Xabley resulted in the deaths of 13 more soldiers and left several others severely injured.
These brutal attacks underscored the urgency of mounting a decisive counteroffensive to clear the Calmiskaat Mountains, an area that has served as a sanctuary for ISIS militants.
Local Support Strengthening the Fight
In a remarkable show of solidarity, residents of Tasjiic and Xabley have joined forces with the Puntland Defense Forces, providing intelligence, logistical assistance, and moral support. This community mobilization has been crucial in identifying militant hideouts and disrupting ISIS supply lines.
On March 19, 2025, Puntland troops, supported by aerial surveillance from U.S. and UAE forces, neutralized dozens of foreign ISIS fighters in the Miirale Valley, successfully dismantling their bases and recovering weapons caches.
Figures from the field illustrate these advances:
Regional and International Cooperation
Despite the progress, Puntland authorities stress that the fight is far from over. Continued international support remains essential for maintaining momentum against ISIS.
During an interview in Nairobi, Abdulgani Farah Dhashane, a member of the Puntland Parliament, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, particularly between Somalia and Kenya, in addressing cross-border extremism.
“Kenya’s fight against terrorism within its borders can be strengthened by supporting Puntland’s counterterrorism operations, which continue to yield valuable intelligence on ISIS activities,” he said.
Dhashane noted that people from all walks of life — youth, elders, civil society, political leaders, and legislators — have united in a shared commitment to end the ISIS menace once and for all.
(Figure 4: Abdulgani Farah Dhashane, Member of Puntland Parliament)
Puntland Forces on the Brink of Victory
In Garowe, Mohamed Jama, Chief of Staff at the Puntland Presidency, confirmed that Puntland Defense Forces have liberated over 90% of territories previously controlled by ISIS.
While ISIS militants have shifted tactics toward guerilla and hit-and-run warfare, their operational capacity has been severely degraded over the past three months.
“Our forces are on the verge of victory,” Jama stated. “However, we now face a new challenge — stabilizing liberated areas and resettling displaced people around the Calmiskaat Mountains and Jaceel Valley.”
(Figure 5: Mohamed Jama, Chief of Staff, Puntland Presidency)
Humanitarian and Stabilization Needs
Puntland’s leadership has appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance and stabilization support from international partners. Thousands of civilians remain displaced as a result of the conflict, and there is a pressing need for aid in food, shelter, and healthcare.
As Puntland continues to lead the charge against ISIS in Somalia, regional stability hangs in the balance. Sustained international backing — in both security and humanitarian efforts — will be vital to ensure that hard-won victories translate into lasting peace and development.
Conclusion
Operation Hilaac has become a defining chapter in Puntland’s ongoing war against terrorism. With over 90% of ISIS strongholds neutralized, the campaign demonstrates what can be achieved through determined leadership, local unity, and global cooperation.
Puntland’s resolve stands as a testament to Somalia’s growing capacity to confront extremist threats — not only for its people but for the wider security of East Africa.