Saturday May 3, 2025
Garowe (HOL) — Puntland security forces repelled an attack
by Islamic State (ISIS) militants on a military outpost in the Dasaan area,
which was recently liberated from the group as part of ongoing counterterrorism
operations in northeastern Somalia.
Security officials said they had advance intelligence about
the planned assault, which allowed Puntland forces to prepare and successfully
defend the position.
The attackers were pushed back after heavy fighting, with
some militants reportedly killed and others fleeing the area, according to
Puntland’s Second Battalion.
“Several of the attackers blew themselves up before reaching
the front lines, while the remainder were neutralized by our forces,” a
security official told reporters.
Authorities have not released an exact number of casualties
or confirmed how many ISIS fighters participated in the raid. However,
officials noted that bodies of militants were found at the site, while a number
of others managed to escape into the surrounding terrain.
The failed assault comes as Puntland officials say they are
nearing the end of the third phase of Operation Lightning, a months-long
military campaign aimed at dismantling ISIS cells operating in the Bari region
and nearby areas.
While local officials described the repelled attack as a
sign of operational success, some security analysts warned it underscores the
group's continued ability to regroup and mount attacks even after territorial
losses.
"This shows ISIS still has a presence in the region and
is capable of launching tactical raids, even in areas they were recently driven
out of," said one regional security expert.
ISIS has maintained a foothold in parts of Puntland since
2015, though its influence has waned significantly due to repeated offensives
by regional forces. Puntland authorities have vowed to fully clear the group’s
remnants from the region.