Monday 6,January 2025 {HMC} Puntland is enlisting the support of clans in the Bari region to combat the growing threat of ISIS, which has entrenched itself in parts of the region. The mobilization effort, spearheaded by First Deputy Speaker Mohamed Bari Shire, follows a deadly attack in Dharjaale village that exposed significant security vulnerabilities.
On December 31, 2024, Puntland security forces thwarted an ISIS assault on a military base in Dharjaale, killing 12 militants, including foreign fighters. The attack, marked by a suicide bombing and intense combat, leftover 20 soldiers dead and more than 30 injured. Deputy Speaker Mohamed Bari Shire narrowly survived the attack, which highlighted the increasing audacity of ISIS operations in the region.
Traditional leaders from remote eastern villages, particularly near Al Miskaad, have been urged to collaborate with Puntland authorities to drive ISIS militants out of their territories. During meetings with tribal elders, Shire described Bari as a “predator’s haven,” overrun by ISIS and Al-Shabaab. He stressed the urgent need for grassroots unity to reclaim the region from extremist groups.
“The fight cannot be won by security forces alone,” Shire stated. “We need the courage and cooperation of the people to secure our communities.”
The Dharjaale attack, in which militants travelled undetected through several villages, revealed major intelligence gaps. Residents, intimidated by ISIS’s brutal tactics, have been reluctant to share information with authorities. This silence has allowed militants to operate with impunity, underscoring the need for community-driven solutions.
Puntland’s security forces face challenges in monitoring the region’s vast, rugged terrain. Local participation is seen as critical to closing these intelligence gaps and preventing future attacks.
President Said Abdullahi Deni has announced Operation Hillaac, a large-scale counter-terrorism campaign to eradicate militant hideouts in Puntland’s mountainous terrain. “This is a fight for the survival and stability of Puntland and Somalia,” Deni stated.
Similarly, former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke called for greater federal support, emphasizing the need for a unified strategy. “We must eradicate the menace of ISIS and Al-Shabaab before 2025 ends,” he urged.
Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo commended Puntland’s efforts, describing the Dharjaale operation as integral to Somalia’s war on terror. “This courageous operation by Puntland’s security forces is a victory for all Somalis. The Federal Government must stand with Puntland in this national imperative,” Farmaajo said.
Analysts warn that Puntland’s strategic location and rugged terrain make it a key battleground for ISIS, which has bolstered its ranks with foreign fighters and extortion revenue. While Al-Shabaab remains the dominant militant force in Somalia, Abdulqadir Mumin, the leader of ISIS-Somalia, has positioned the group as a nerve center for jihadist operations in Africa, elevating its global profile.
