By Mustafa Osman Farah, Founder and Executive Director of Gaashaan Dialogue.
Puntland has escalated its military operations against the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Cal Miskaad mountains, launching a fierce offensive to dismantle the group’s presence. Dubbed Operation Hilaac, the campaign has seen Puntland forces push deep into ISIS controlled areas, uncovering hidden bases, and securing vital strongholds. The rugged terrain of Cal Miskaad has long served as a strategic hideout for militants, making this operation particularly challenging. Despite these difficulties, Puntland has relied on local intelligence and sheer determination to make significant gains.
The first signs of progress came in November 2024, when Puntland forces launched a series of counter-insurgency patrols and reconnaissance missions, which exposed the vast network of ISIS hideouts within the mountains. By forging close cooperation with local communities, Puntland was able to gather crucial information that pinpointed key ISIS locations, enabling them to launch targeted strikes against the heart of the group’s operations. The operation reached a significant turning point in December, when Puntland forces successfully thwarted a complex ISIS suicide bombing and vehicle-borne assault in the town of Dharjaale. This victory not only demonstrated the growing capabilities of Puntland’s security forces but also highlighted their ability to effectively counter increasingly sophisticated ISIS tactics.
As the offensive raged on into 2025, the stakes grew higher. In January, Puntland forces made a decisive move by capturing Turmasaale, a strategically important village that served as a critical entry point to the Togga Jeceel valley. This victory effectively severed one of ISIS’s primary supply routes, forcing the militants to retreat into more remote and difficult-to-access areas. The battle for Turmasaale was no easy feat, as heavy combat ensued. However, Puntland’s forces, bolstered by technical vehicles and heavy artillery, managed to dismantle several key ISIS positions, dealing a significant blow to the group’s operational capabilities.
FGS and International Partners: Watching from the Sidelines?
Despite Puntland’s determination, the Federal Government of Somalia has remained largely indifferent. Officials in Garowe have expressed deep frustration at what they see as Mogadishu’s hollow gestures and empty rhetoric. Former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, have all called for concrete support, but their pleas have gone unanswered. Puntland needs more than words it needs weapons, intelligence, and reinforcements. Yet Mogadishu’s unwillingness to step up raises serious questions: is this reluctance political maneuvering, or is it a failure to grasp the real threat ISIS poses?
This failure is even more alarming given that ISIS in Somalia is not just a localized threat it is part of a global network. Intelligence reports suggest that the group is exploiting Somalia’s instability to establish a foothold for international operations. ISIS is using advanced technology, including encrypted communications, drones, and digital currencies, to expand its reach beyond Puntland’s mountains. This is not just Puntland’s fight; it is a matter of regional and global security. The longer the Federal Government remains passive, the more emboldened ISIS becomes.
Yet, the silence from international partners is deafening. The United States, which once played a critical role in targeting extremist groups in Somalia, has been largely absent in the fight against ISIS in Puntland. The European Union and African Union, despite their diplomatic engagements, have done little beyond issuing statements of concern.
Puntland’s security forces, underfunded and under-equipped, are facing a highly adaptive enemy with minimal external support. Intelligence-sharing is simply not enough, decisive action is needed. Western allies must recognize that ignoring Puntland’s struggle today could mean confronting a far greater crisis tomorrow.
A Critical Moment for Somalia and the World
Puntland is fighting a battle that is bigger than itself. The world has seen what happens when ISIS is left unchecked, from Iraq to Syria. Somalia cannot become the next safe haven for extremists. Puntland’s forces have shown resilience, but resilience alone does not win wars. If Mogadishu and international allies continue to hesitate, they may soon find themselves confronting a much stronger, more entrenched ISIS threat.
The international community must understand that this is not just about Puntland—it is about the security of the entire region. The terrorists in Cal Miskaad are not just Puntland’s problem; they are a threat to global stability. Puntland is making its stand, but will Somalia’s Federal Government and international allies stand with them before it is too late? Or will they watch from the sidelines as another ISIS stronghold emerges in Africa
