Bosaso (WDN) – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni on Saturday convened a high-level security meeting in Bosaso with senior military commanders leading operations in the Calmiskaad Mountains, as Puntland intensifies what it describes as the final phase of its campaign against militant groups entrenched in the Bari region.
The meeting brought together the Commander of the Calmiskaad Operations Sector, Colonel Mahmoud Shire Mohamed, and other senior Puntland security officials, who briefed the president on the latest battlefield developments, the evolving security situation, and operational plans aimed at eliminating the remaining militant strongholds in the rugged mountain range.
According to a statement issued by the Puntland Presidency, discussions focused on accelerating the ongoing offensive and ensuring that Puntland security forces establish full control over areas where armed groups are still believed to be hiding.
President Deni praised the courage and sacrifices of Puntland’s security forces, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustaining military support until the operation is completed. “The campaign will continue until the terrorist threat to Puntland and Somalia is eliminated,” the statement quoted the president as telling commanders.
The meeting comes as Puntland forces have significantly expanded military operations in the Calmiskaad Mountains over recent weeks and months. The offensive has included sustained ground assaults supported by airstrikes targeting militant positions, logistics hubs, and training sites in one of Puntland’s most challenging operational environments.
Puntland authorities say the campaign has resulted in the recapture of several areas previously used by militant groups, while numerous weapons caches, fortified positions, and operational bases have reportedly been destroyed.
Deadly Setback
The security meeting took place only hours after Puntland forces suffered one of their deadliest recent losses. At least 10 Puntland soldiers were reportedly killed in an explosion in the Sheebaab area of Qandala district in the Bari region while participating in ongoing security operations.
Preliminary reports indicate that the troops were struck during an active military mission, although authorities have not yet officially confirmed the nature of the explosion or identified those responsible.
Officials have also not released a comprehensive casualty assessment, and the number of wounded remains unclear.
The incident highlights the persistent dangers facing Puntland’s security forces, even as they claim significant territorial gains. Armed groups operating in the region have frequently relied on improvised explosive devices (IEDs), landmines, and ambush tactics to slow advancing troops and inflict casualties.
Calmiskaad One of Puntland’s Largest Security Campaigns
The Calmiskaad operation has become one of Puntland’s largest and most sustained security campaigns in recent years.
Authorities maintain that the objective extends beyond clearing militant positions. The broader strategy seeks to permanently deny armed groups the ability to use the Calmiskaad Mountains as a sanctuary for planning attacks, recruiting fighters, storing weapons, and threatening key transport routes linking major towns across the Bari region.
Despite official claims of steady progress, Saturday’s deadly explosion underscores the difficult nature of the campaign and the continuing ability of militant groups to mount lethal attacks even while under sustained military pressure.
As Puntland pushes toward what it describes as the final stages of the operation, commanders face the dual challenge of maintaining battlefield momentum while protecting their forces against increasingly sophisticated guerrilla tactics employed by the remaining militants.
WardheerNews