...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
military base, signaling a shift in guerrilla tactics after losing direct battles.
The Lions of Islam raided the military base in the Xabley Mountains, Dhaban Xoogle, Bari region, sparking an exchange of gunfire followed by mortar shelling.
Puntland officials confirmed their forces repelled the attack, killing several turbans.
Reports suggest both sides suffered casualties, with the fighting lasting for hours.
The situation is stable, with Puntland forces in control of the battlegrounds. They have pushed ISIS out of several areas, including Cali Miskaad.
Puntland forces took key positions, including caves used by ISIS fighters as hideouts. Officials vow to remove ISIS from the region, including Cali Miskaad.
Since December, Puntland has been fighting Lions of Islam in the rugged highlands, where they had major bases and caves to hide.
ISIS remains much smaller in number compared to the al-Qaeda-linked group, al-Shabaab
... the personification of Somali state failure..., which controls large parts of Somalia.
The group’s fighters are estimated to be 1,500, mostly scattered in the al-Maskad region, according to security experts
Related:
Puntland: 2025-03-20 A Yemeni fishing vessel hijacked off Somalia coast
Puntland: 2025-03-17 Day 2: US airstrikes ''took out'' multiple Houthi terror leaders, US Navy airstruck Houthi drones and captured cargo ship, Houthis claim 53 toes up after 47 airstrikes
Puntland: 2025-03-15 Al-shabaab mastermind airstruck in Somalia operation in Middle Shabelle
Puntland: 2025-03-20 A Yemeni fishing vessel hijacked off Somalia coast
Puntland: 2025-03-17 Day 2: US airstrikes ''took out'' multiple Houthi terror leaders, US Navy airstruck Houthi drones and captured cargo ship, Houthis claim 53 toes up after 47 airstrikes
Puntland: 2025-03-15 Al-shabaab mastermind airstruck in Somalia operation in Middle Shabelle