Bosaso (WDN) Puntland Defence Forces (PDF) have successfully seized control of Sheebaab, a village in Qandala district that had been used as an outpost by the ISIS terror group. The village was a strategic hub for ISIS militants, who had erected a banner in Arabic, declaring it part of the so-called “Wilayat of Somalia”—a misleading attempt to portray Somalia as part of the ISIS Caliphate.

The capture of Sheebaab raised initial confusion, as many had never heard of the village before. The similarity between the ISIS and Al-Shabaab flags, which were blurred in social media posts, added to the uncertainty.

Meanwhile, ISIS militants have abandoned hideouts in Togga Jaceel, deep within the Calmiskaad mountain range. Seven terrorists have surrendered to Puntland forces as security operations intensify.

At Sheebaab, Puntland troops uncovered a concealed hideout used by ISIS leaders. The underground shelter, camouflaged with corrugated metal sheets, was equipped with makeshift ventilation tubes and a solar-powered light. “It’s extremely dusty inside. The so-called emir used this tunnel as a safe house and a communications base,” a PDF soldier explained in a video released to the media.

The village was the last known base of a senior ISIS leader, who managed to escape as Puntland troops advanced from multiple directions.

“Hillaac Operation will continue until every last ISIS fighter is either eliminated or captured,” declared General Abdi Hashi, the Commander of Puntland Defence Forces, during a media briefing in Sheebaab.

WardheerNews