Authorities in Somalia’s Puntland region have announced a major breakthrough in their fight against Daesh militants, confirming the near-total capture of the Calmiskaat mountain range—a longstanding militant stronghold. However, they also revealed that the group’s elusive leader, Abdikadir Mumin, has managed to flee.
Speaking to local media, General Mohamud Ahmed Faadhigo, spokesperson for the Puntland military campaign dubbed “Operation Hillaac,” said intelligence from international partners indicates that Mumin is no longer in the area. Details surrounding his escape remain unclear.
Despite Mumin’s disappearance, officials say the group’s second-in-command and chief of operations, Abdirahman Fahiye Isse Mohamud, is believed to be hiding in remaining militant hideouts. The ongoing offensive aims to locate and detain him.
On Sunday, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni marked the end of the campaign’s third phase and initiated the fourth phase, which will target smaller pockets of resistance believed to harbor remaining Daesh fighters.
President Deni hailed the operation as a critical step toward regional stability, revealing that Daesh fighters from across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas were among those engaged in the battles. He emphasized the broader national security significance, stating that the group’s capacity in the region has been significantly weakened.
The Calmiskaat mountains, located in Bari region, have long been a base for Daesh in Somalia, offering difficult terrain for operations. Puntland’s latest campaign signals a major shift in control after years of militant entrenchment in the area.