By Al-Fassel | 2025-02-13

As it continues to suffer setbacks in the Middle East that have driven it into a tight corner, the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) is coming under fire in East Africa, where it has sought to establish a foothold.

ISIS suffered a resounding military defeat in Iraq and Syria, where it remains on the back foot as Iraqi and international coalition forces continue to target its military sites and hideouts in rugged regions.

US airstrikes killed multiple ISIS operatives in northern Somalia's Golis mountains on February 1, in an area where the Puntland Defence Forces have been carrying out operations against it since December, AFP reported.

The strikes "degraded ISIS's ability to plan and conduct attacks," US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement.

A Somali government statement said the operation in Puntland's Bari region was jointly coordinated by the Somali and US governments.

"Terrorism will neither find friends, nor any place to call home, in Puntland state and entire Somalia," Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on X, expressing "deepest gratitude" to the United States.

"Recent airstrikes have led to the neutralization of key figures within ISIS, marking a significant advancement as we progress into the second phase of our operation," the government of the semi-autonomous Puntland region said.

It called the US involvement "invaluable" and expressed "sincere gratitude."

Assassination squad leader surrenders

On February 3, ISIS-Somalia's assassination squad leader Abdirahman Shirwac Aw-Saciid (aka "Laahoor") surrendered to authorities in northeastern Puntland.

He had faced "intense pressure from ongoing military operations in the mountainous regions," according to Somalia's state news agency SONNA.

Accused of orchestrating multiple bombings in Bosaso port city and extorting businesses on behalf of ISIS, Aw-Saciid had been sentenced to death previously by the Puntland Military Court.

Security forces have seized control of 250 sq. km of territory from ISIS since launching their December 31 operation, including 50 of its bases, Puntland's information minister Mohammed Aided said.

Puntland's army on January 24 said it had taken control of a "strategic mountain command base" of ISIS in Turmasaale township, which "was very important for their movements and connecting to the various locations where they are based."

A frontline commander told local television it was "one of the biggest bases" used by ISIS, AFP reported.

"The terrorists were keeping their logistics and wounded members in this place," the commander said. "The information we had also indicates that the leader of the ISIS terrorists also stayed in the location during the last couple of years."

ISIS-Somalia is run by Puntland native Abdulqadir Mumin. The group has up to 1,500 fighters based in Puntland's mountainous terrain, according to Reuters.