Puntland’s regional administration has announced a large-scale military campaign aimed at removing ISIS militants from the Bari region. Thousands of Puntland soldiers, supported by military vehicles and advanced weapons, have been deployed in preparation for a major offensive against the Islamic State, which has established a stronghold in the area.
President Said Abdullahi Deni has been overseeing the operation from the front lines, emphasizing the critical security threat posed by ISIS. A recent report by the U.N. Sanctions Monitoring Team for Somalia revealed the growing presence of ISIS in the country, with their affiliate, IS-Somalia, expanding significantly. The report highlighted the influx of foreign fighters, including individuals from the Middle East, who have bolstered the group’s strength in Puntland, leading to increased competition with al-Shabaab.
Puntland, one of Somalia’s six federal states, has been an area of increasing interest due to its significant oil reserves, making the fight against ISIS a priority for the regional administration. Despite Puntland’s autonomy declaration in 1998, it has not pursued full independence like Somaliland, its neighbor.