Mogadishu, Somalia – In the rugged, arid mountains of Puntland, northeastern Somalia, security forces are gearing up for what officials describe as a “final push” against militants.
For years, the region has grappled with the dual threat of ISIS and al-Shabab, whose fighters operate from remote hideouts.
According to security officials, Puntland is mobilizing troops and logistics for a large-scale campaign aimed at neutralizing the militant groups.
“This is the most comprehensive operation we have ever planned,” one official said, referring to the insurgents as a “direct threat” to regional stability.
ISIS, though estimated to have only a few hundred fighters, has reportedly doubled its recruitment efforts in recent months, raising concerns among local authorities and foreign observers.
Meanwhile, residents in villages near the Galgala and Al-Madow mountains, two known militant strongholds, have reported sightings of young men being trained in makeshift camps.
“They are using poverty and unemployment to lure the youth,” said Hassan Ahmed, a shopkeeper in the town of Bosaso, Puntland’s commercial hub.
“People are worried about what might happen if they grow stronger.”
Puntland has long prided itself on its relative stability compared to the rest of Somalia, but officials warn that the expanding militant presence could threaten that hard-earned peace.
While the timeline for the military campaign remains unclear, analysts suggest its success will depend on sustained coordination and support from international partners.
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