Saturday October 4, 2025
Garowe (HOL) — Puntland security forces have killed more than ten ISIS militants in a major operation conducted in the Calmiskaad Mountains of the Bari region on Saturday, officials said.
According to Puntland authorities, the military operation took place around the Buticiso, Dharint, and Barakallah wells along the Baallade River. The forces reportedly seized control of the Dharint and Buticiso wells, which ISIS had been using as bases to launch attacks in the region.
During the operation, Puntland forces also captured a foreign ISIS fighter, the military said.
Security officials added that the troops discovered the bodies of several ISIS members previously killed in U.S. airstrikes in the area. Puntland said a small number of ISIS fighters remain in hiding along the Baallade stream but vowed to eliminate them in the coming days.
Three Puntland soldiers were killed, and six others were injured during the operation, according to the military statement.
The campaign against ISIS militants in the Calmiskaad Mountains has been ongoing for a year. Puntland authorities claim the group’s strength has been reduced by 95% over the past decade.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni recently revealed in an interview that ISIS had planned to capture the city of Bosaso in June this year, but their plot was foiled. He said the militants are now being hunted in areas they once controlled a year ago.