Bosaso (WDN) Puntland security forces, as part of the anti-terror Operation Hilaac targeting ISIS militants entrenched in the Cal-Miskaad mountain range, intercepted a truck on the outskirts of Bosaso, in the Biyo-Kulule area, carrying food supplies intended for ISIS fighters trapped in the Baallade stream area

The vehicle which locals call “Dhaynaha” truck, was stopped and searched during a routine sweep of the region. Two individuals were arrested, and according to Puntland security officials, they confessed during interrogation that the supplies were destined for ISIS militants still operating in hiding.

This development marks a critical moment in Operation Hilaac, which started in November 2024 with the objective of eliminating ISIS strongholds in the remote and rugged terrains of the Cal-Miskaad Mountains. The operation has also focused on cutting off logistical routes and disrupting the group’s supply chains, which have sustained their presence despite repeated military offensives.

Security officials say the seizure of the supply truck is part of a broader strategy to isolate and weaken what’s left from the group by choking off access to food, weapons, and other resources. “The fact that these militants are relying on covert supply lines shows they are under serious pressure,” a Puntland security source told WardheerNews. “The final phase of the operation is making progress, and the arrest of these couriers further confirms that the group’s grip on the area is weakening.”

The Cal-Miskaad range has long served as a hideout for extremist groups, taking advantage of the difficult terrain and sparse population to evade detection. ISIS’s foothold in the area has been a persistent threat to regional stability, particularly in and around the port city of Bosaso.

Puntland authorities have vowed to continue the operation until the region is fully cleared of militants. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity that could assist in dismantling remaining ISIS networks.

On the other hand The Puntland regional administration is grappling with a fresh wave of migrants arriving from neighboring Ethiopia, raising security and humanitarian concerns as anti-terror operations intensify in the region.

Sources on the ground report that hundreds of migrants—primarily from Ethiopia’s Oromo ethnic group have been streaming into Bosaso and its surrounding areas in recent weeks. Many are reportedly using the Garowe–Bosaso highway as a key transit route, with daily movements being observed.

The renewed influx comes despite Puntland’s previous efforts to curb irregular migration during the early stages of Operation Calmiskaad, a large-scale military campaign aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, particularly ISIS-affiliated cells.

Security reports from the initial phases of the operation had revealed that some migrants entering from Ethiopia had joined extremist groups operating in Puntland. These revelations led authorities to enforce strict measures to stem the flow of undocumented entrants.

However, the current wave of arrivals appears to be overwhelming existing controls, with many migrants heading directly toward areas where the fourth phase of Operation Calmiskaad is ongoing.

The Puntland government has yet to issue an official statement on the latest developments, but analysts warn that the convergence of migration and counter-terrorism efforts could strain local resources and complicate the already volatile security landscape.

WardheerNews