Puntland Retaliates After IS-Somalia's Major Assault

In response to Islamic State Somalia’s (IS-Somalia) massive assault on a Puntland military base on December 31—considered the group’s largest operation in Somalia to date—local security forces have launched counterattacks over the past week.

The attack on Dharjaale, located in the Bari region, stood out for both its scale and the diversity of its attackers, who included Tanzanians, Moroccans, Saudis, Libyans, Tunisians, Yemenis, and Ethiopians. This highlights IS-Somalia’s transnational character.

Unlike the Federal Government of Somalia, which benefits from significant international military assistance, Puntland—a semi-autonomous region in northern Somalia—operates with far less external support. Relations between Puntland and the central government have been strained since Puntland cut ties, opposing a proposed new federal state that would encroach on its territory. Consequently, Puntland has been left to combat IS-Somalia and al-Shabaab independently.

Despite these challenges, Puntland’s security forces have intensified their campaign to dismantle extremist strongholds in the rugged Bari region. On January 5, the Puntland Defense Forces reportedly seized the strategic town of Timirshe, a critical hub for IS-Somalia operations. They also cleared the road to Ballidhidin, a vital supply line for the group.

Anticipating fierce resistance, Puntland forces are now advancing deeper into the mountains, aiming to capture remaining extremist bases. These developments mark a significant shift in the region’s security dynamics, as IS-Somalia is likely to contest these gains aggressively to sustain its operational presence.