A major ongoing offensive in the Cal-Miskaat mountain range in Puntland has left over 40 militants slain, and leading Puntland commanders to call it the “final defeat” for ISIS in the country.
The offensive with launched with support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US African Command (AFRICOM), and intended to root out ISIS presence in the interior part of Puntland which is the main route to the economically important port city of Bosaso.
ISIS reportedly attempted to respond with a suicide attack against Puntland forces in Togga Miraale, also in the same area, which led eight attackers being killed and sparked a major multi-hour gunbattle nearby, which left another 10 Puntland soldiers and 30 ISIS killed.
US airstrikes had been launched in the area around Miraale and Moqor setting up this offensive, and Puntland officials say that after days of fighting they believe they’ve achieved “complete victory” over ISIS, and are continuing to move against the remnants.
They may have overrun a number of former ISIS bases in the offensive and killed a number of people in the fighting, but claims of wiping ISIS out in regions anywhere in the world tend to be premature, as the group has shown remarkable resilience in making a comeback after sustaining seemingly decisive losses.
ISIS-Somalia has been an issue around the country, particularly in Puntland, for nearly a decade. As with most ISIS affiliates, their size and scope is not totally certain to officials, and exactly how much of the organization has actually been wiped out in this fighting remains uncertain.
