Somalia, 20 October 2025 — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has declared that the ongoing military operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in the Al-Miskaad Mountains is nearing completion, following a series of successful offensives by regional security forces.
Speaking at a ceremony in Carmo marking the graduation of newly trained police officers, President Deni highlighted the progress made since the launch of the Al-Miskaad operation in November last year. He said Puntland forces have significantly weakened ISIS groups fighting in the rugged mountain ranges of Bari region.
“Their power and hideouts have been destroyed. Many of their members have been killed, and others have been captured,” President Deni said.
The operation was initiated after the Puntland Parliament, in late 2024, declared a state of war against ISIS militants operating in the Al-Miskaad Mountains. Over the past year, Puntland forces have steadily advanced, dismantling several militant positions and disrupting their logistics networks.
Deni further stated that once the campaign in Al-Miskaad concludes in the coming days, operations will shift to the Al-Madow Mountains, where Al-Shabaab elements are believed to be active.
He reaffirmed Puntland’s commitment to eliminating all armed groups that threaten the region’s peace, security and governance structures.