Security forces in Puntland have escalated operations against Islamic State (IS) militants in northeastern Somalia following the death of Brigadier General Ahmed Abdi Ali Qarjab, known as General Qalyare, who was killed by a roadside mine last week.
Authorities say the offensive is now targeting the last remaining jihadist cells entrenched in the region’s rugged mountains.
Puntland forces reported new operations in the Kalmiskaad Mountains and Baallad Valley on Sunday, claiming the deaths of five IS fighters and the capture of a sixth.
The militants, wanted for planting improvised explosive devices—including the one that killed General Qalyare—were intercepted in the Kooraxanle and Abal areas. The attack that claimed the general’s life also resulted in multiple fatalities among soldiers in his escort.
“These operations are part of our continued counterterrorism campaign,” a regional official said. “We are determined to eliminate the remaining jihadist networks and secure Puntland’s communities from extremist threats.”
This offensive follows a series of operations in recent months. On August 28, Puntland forces launched a targeted intervention in the Baalade Valley, killing several extremists and seizing weapons left behind in their retreat. Strategic water points previously exploited by armed groups were also secured.
The campaign intensified in July when elite Puntland units, with support from American partners, captured Abdiweli Mohamed Aw Yusuf, known as Abdiweli Walalac, who oversaw external relations and financing for Somalia’s ISIS branch.
Two other network members were arrested in the same operation.
Regional officials say the military campaign is now entering its final phase, aimed at dismantling the last jihadist strongholds in the Kalmiskaad Mountains, historically considered the heart of IS operations in Somalia. Authorities emphasize that persistent operations are crucial to ensuring the long-term stability and security of Puntland.
With the loss of General Qalyare galvanizing both the military and local communities, Puntland’s authorities are pledging a sustained effort to eradicate extremist networks and prevent further attacks.
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