On July 2nd, a military operation was conducted by the security forces in the state of Puntland, located in northeastern Somalia. The objective of this operation was to pursue the members affiliated with the IS organization who had been utilizing the rugged mountainous regions as safe havens. This operation is a direct response to the comprehensive warfare initiated by President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud in May 2022, aimed at combating terrorist organizations, particularly the “Shabab al-Mujahideen” movement. The latter group has been experiencing significant strain following its efforts to garner support from both regional and international entities in order to counteract its influence.
The official statement, disseminated via the Somali News Agency, lacks specific information regarding the military operation. It solely mentions the apprehension of approximately nine IS leaders of foreign origin (Sudanese, Syrian, and Ethiopian) during the operation conducted in the Amamu and Sidu regions within the Burri Governorate.
The military operation is of particular importance as it occurred subsequent to a substantial decrease in the operational endeavors of IS in Somalia in the initial six months of the current year, in contrast to the corresponding timeframe in 2022, as depicted in the ensuing chart.
Varying Reasons for the Escalation
The motives behind the military operation conducted by the Puntland state forces in the mountainous regions of Barri governorate, even after the retreat of IS can be attributed to several factors. Among these, the most significant ones are:
1- The possibility of obtaining information regarding terrorist activities has been a subject of concern since the emergence of IS in Somalia in recent years. This emergence occurred amidst the defection of certain leaders and members of the “Al-Shabaab” movement, who pledged their allegiance to IS. Consequently, the Puntland state forces have conducted military operations in rugged mountainous regions, which serve as a focal point for the organization. Despite this, the organization continues to prioritize operations in the vicinity of the capital, Mogadishu.
Examining the organization’s operational activities in the state of Puntland, as per the official data released on social media platforms and applications, it becomes evident that the organization did not publicly announce any operations in the state throughout the year 2022. However, it did declare the execution of several operations in 2021 before resuming operations in 2023.
Only three operations were documented in the region of Puntland during the initial six months of 2023. It is plausible that the military operation was conducted in response to the resurgence of activities in the state during the present year, following a period of inactivity in the previous year. The state forces might have obtained intelligence regarding the organization’s actions and movements, prompting an escalation in operational endeavors within the state in the foreseeable future. Consequently, it becomes imperative to undertake a proactive approach.
2- In accordance with the information provided by the official news agency, the military operation conducted can be characterized as offensive in nature, involving the storming of specific regions within the Beli Taitan district of Burri Governorate. These regions are known to be rugged and serve as hiding places for IS members.
In a previous announcement made in March, the organization reported an encounter with a patrol unit belonging to the Puntland state forces in Bali Taitan. A clash ensued as the organization attempted to advance towards the locations occupied by what was referred to as “the mujahideen”, denoting its own members. It is worth noting that the military operation undertaken now encompasses the same geographical area where clashes occurred in March, with the aim of diminishing IS’s control over the aforementioned region.
However, considering the recent activity of the IS organization in the region of Puntland in March, there is a significant time gap of approximately three months between these clashes and the subsequent military operation conducted by state forces to apprehend the organization’s members. It is plausible that this delay was attributed to the collection of crucial intelligence regarding the organization’s activities, potentially in collaboration with regional and international entities. This assumption is reinforced by the fact that the US recently carried out an operation to apprehend a prominent leader within the organization, named Bilal al-Sudani, which unfortunately resulted in his demise along with the loss of ten of his associates.
3- The mountainous regions in the Burri district of Puntland state pose a significant challenge to the state and the Somali government’s efforts to enhance their organizational capabilities. While the government primarily concentrates on countering the “Al-Shabaab” movement in the central and southern parts of the country, the rugged mountains in Puntland state offer ideal hiding spots and storage facilities for weapons and logistical resources. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensure security and maintain a manageable level of threat in the foreseeable future
The organization’s activities in the region of Puntland primarily revolve around defensive strategies. Out of the three operations conducted, two are concentrated in specific geographic locations to safeguard their areas of influence, particularly in the challenging terrains of valleys. These operations aim to undermine the presence of security forces, thereby facilitating the movement of their members in the field. The third operation involved the detonation of an explosive device targeting a convoy transporting an electoral team, accompanied by a Puntland forces patrol, in Wadi Jail. This information was disclosed in the organization’s statement issued in February.
4- The security and military operations in Puntland state are aimed at enhancing overall control over the security situation in the region. This is motivated by concerns regarding the potential consequences of clashes between Somali forces in the central and southern parts of the country with the “Al-Shabaab” movement, as well as the confrontations between the movement and the Islamic State affiliate in Somalia.
In March of last year, the Somali official news agency reported violent confrontations between members of the “Al-Shabaab” movement and IS elements in Puntland state, specifically in the mountainous Galgala region. These clashes resulted in the deaths of approximately 40 militants from both sides, including key leaders of the “Al-Shabaab” movement. The struggle for influence and control over these rugged mountainous areas, which serve as safe havens, is at the core of the conflict between the two parties.
5- Military operations in Puntland, located in the northeastern region of Somalia, have the potential to significantly weaken and restrict the influence of IS. This would in turn contribute to the dismantling of cross-border financing networks, particularly due to Somalia’s prominent role as a hub for financial transactions and arms smuggling between Asia and Africa. Puntland’s coastal position and its natural mountainous terrain make it an ideal location for funding activities associated with the IS, as confirmed by the United States. The intricate nature of Somalia’s financial system and the presence of mountain ranges further establish it as a significant center for financing the IS organization, as affirmed by US authorities.
In November 2022, the US imposed sanctions on a network engaged in the illicit trafficking of weapons associated with IS in Somalia. This network operates within the region spanning Yemen and Somalia, establishing connections with other extremist organizations in both countries, as stated by the US Treasury Department.
Furthermore, the American military operation conducted in January aimed to neutralize the leader of the aforementioned organization, Bilal al-Sudani, with the objective of dismantling the financial networks. Al-Sudani played a significant role in facilitating the organization’s financial activities within and beyond the African continent. Additionally, he stands accused of providing financial assistance to the organization’s branch in Mozambique.
Military Hurdles to Fighting IS in Puntland
Despite a general decline in the operational activity of IS in Somalia during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, it is important to note that the organization still presents a direct threat to the state of Puntland. This threat persists even after efforts to revive operational activity in 2023, surpassing the scope of mere operational activities.
The presence of the IS organization in Somalia signifies its endeavor to convert the state of Puntland into a pivotal hub for illicit financial transactions and smuggling networks across borders. This strategic move exploits Puntland’s advantageous coastal geographical position and the challenging mountainous terrain in certain areas, thereby presenting forthcoming security obstacles in dismantling the organization’s networks within the state. To effectively counteract this threat, it is imperative to persistently curtail the operational activities of IS and impede its capacity-building endeavors. This necessitates fostering enhanced collaboration among state forces, the Somali army, as well as regional and international stakeholders.
Despite the primary emphasis on countering the “Al-Shabaab” movement, the US continues to engage in surveillance and actively pursue the organization within Somalia. This pursuit is carried out in collaboration and coordination with the Somali army subsequent to the re-engagement of American forces in Somalia in 2022.