UPDATE: Over 40 ISIS Fighters Killed in Puntland Offensive

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BARI: Puntland security forces killed more than 40 ISIS fighters during a major assault on militant hideouts in northeastern Somalia, senior military officials said, delivering a serious blow to the group’s dwindling presence in the region.

The offensive, part of Operation Hillaac, targeted entrenched ISIS positions across the rugged Togga Miiraale area in the Bari region, where militants had been using caves and mountainous terrain as natural fortifications.

“Our forces dealt a decisive blow to the terrorists, clearing key command sites and reclaiming strategic ground,” General Mohamed Mohamud Faadhigo, spokesperson for the operation, told reporters. “Togga Miiraale had long served as one of their last major refuges.”

The 24-hour offensive also thwarted a planned suicide bombing against a Puntland military base. Intelligence gathered ahead of the attack allowed security forces to neutralize the threat before it could be carried out, officials said.

Military commanders described the area’s complex geography, deep gorges and steep mountain ranges, as a longtime advantage for militants seeking cover. However, the latest operation, they added, marked a significant turning point.

“Togga Miiraale will be remembered as the place where ISIS met its final defeat in Somalia,” one commander said, noting that a third phase of the offensive is now underway to eliminate remaining cells scattered across the region.

Operation Hillaac is part of Puntland’s broader campaign to dismantle extremist networks across Bari, which has seen increased security efforts in recent months.