MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Security forces in northeastern Somalia’s Puntland region have taken control of Sheebaab village and surrounding areas in the Al Miskad mountain range following a weeks-long offensive against ISIS militants, regional counter-terrorism operations taskforce reported on Monday.
The operation, which has seen significant progress in recent weeks, culminated in the seizure of key militant-held territories. Authorities reported recovering critical supplies, including fuel, weapons, and medical provisions, from a makeshift hospital abandoned by the militants.
An image shared by the taskforce online depicted a billboard in Sheebaab village bearing the Islamic State’s flag and name, alongside the inscription, “Welcome to Sheebaab village.” Another black billboard listed prohibited activities and items in the area, such as drug use, though independent verification of whether these signs were left behind by militants remains pending.
The offensive has been bolstered by a series of airstrikes conducted in the region over the past weeks, with contributions from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) air force and the U.S. military. These strikes, reportedly targeting ISIS strongholds, have significantly weakened the militant group’s positions, forcing them into a sustained retreat and enabling the advance of Puntland forces.
Regional authorities have hailed the operation as a critical step in dismantling ISIS’s presence in the area, though challenges remain in securing the region and preventing the militants from regrouping.
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