Garowe (WDN)– In a striking display of military effectiveness that contrasts sharply with the Federal Government of Somalia’s faltering anti‑al-Shabaab campaign, Puntland’s Second Battalion of the State Defence Forces last night repelled an ISIS ambush in the rugged hills of Dhasaan. This action caps off a sustained push—dating back to late February 2025—that has all but eradicated ISIS cells from Puntland’s mountainous border regions.

According to Battalion spokesperson Captain Mohamed Ali, militants attempted a surprise assault under cover of darkness. “Several terrorists detonated suicide vests before our forward defenses could fully engage,” he reported. “The remaining attackers were swiftly neutralized by our troops; their bodies were displayed at dawn as proof of our success.”

Despite the intensity of the firefight, only one Puntland soldier suffered minor wounds and remained on duty throughout the engagement. “His courage exemplifies the spirit of our forces,” Captain Ali added, praising his troops for “thwarting yet another attempt by these extremists.”

This latest triumph adds to a string of victories that began in late February, when Puntland forces launched Operation Hillac to root out ISIS hideouts in the region’s forbidding terrain. Since then, intelligence‑led raids and sustained patrols have dismantled the terror network’s command structure, captured key operatives, and liberated border communities that once lived under constant threat.

By contrast, the FGS’s nationwide campaign against al‑Shabaab—launched in earnest in early 2022—has been mired in logistical setbacks, leadership disputes, and allegations of insufficient coordination with local administrations. While federal forces maintain pockets of control around major cities, al‑Shabaab remains active in large swathes of southern and central Somalia.

Puntland’s tailored approach—combining local intelligence, community engagement, and rapid‑response units—has delivered results where the broader federal strategy has stalled.” Indeed, residents of Dhasaan report that markets and schools, once shuttered due to ISIS threats, have reopened, and displaced families are returning home.

As Puntland consolidates its hard‑won gains, calls are growing for the FGS to study and adapt these successful tactics. For now, though, the people of Puntland can celebrate a rare and clear victory in Somalia’s long struggle against extremist violence.

WardheerNews