Puntland Forces Clash with ISIS Militants in Northeastern Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BOSSASO: Fierce fighting erupted between Puntland Defense Forces and ISIS militants in the mountainous Togga Miraale area of northeastern Somalia, as regional troops stepped up a major offensive against extremist strongholds.

Puntland military sources said government forces launched an assault on ISIS hideouts in Togga Miraale, part of a broader campaign aimed at rooting out militant groups entrenched in the rugged Bari region.

Residents reported hearing heavy shelling as artillery strikes targeted key ISIS positions deep within the mountainous terrain. The remote location and continued clashes have made independent verification difficult.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the fighting or airstrikes, and Puntland security officials have yet to issue a formal statement. However, military sources said operations were ongoing and the situation remained tense.

The assault comes amid an intensified push by Puntland forces to dismantle ISIS-affiliated networks operating in the Bari Mountains, a known sanctuary for extremist fighters.

Somalia’s ISIS branch, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and multiple countries including the United States, remains relatively small but has posed a persistent threat in parts of Puntland through attacks and extortion.