‘We Will Go Wherever They Hide’: Rooting Out IS in Somalia
Fighting Against IS in the Al-Miskad Mountains
In Somalia’s rugged al-Miskad mountains, soldiers are engaged in a determined battle against the Islamic State (IS) militants who have established bases in these remote regions. Utilizing advanced technology, a team of soldiers closely monitors a drone feed, tracking the movements of IS fighters.
– A soldier notes a figure in the drone’s view: He has gone to fetch water for his friends, indicating the ongoing presence of IS fighters nearby.
– The military suspects a cave near the figure serves as a hideout for approximately 50 to 60 IS militants.
The Puntland Defence Forces, numbering around 500 soldiers, have established a base in this northeastern part of Somalia. Historically barren and unwelcoming, these mountains transformed dramatically when IS shifted its focus to Africa, seeking refuge after being expelled from its strongholds in Syria and Iraq.
By April 2025, U.S. General Michael Langley—then commander of the United States Africa Command (Africom)—informed Congress that “ISIS controls their global network from Somalia.” U.S. military efforts have intensified in recent years, with the Pentagon conducting 60 strikes on IS-Somalia in 2025 alone.
Degraded Attacks but Continued Influence
According to Tricia Bacon, director of the Policy Anti-Terrorism Hub at American University, IS’s ability to conduct attacks in Somalia has diminished, and it does not pose a significant threat to Puntland or Somalia today. However, she cautions that IS-Somalia remains vital in providing resources and support for various Islamic State affiliates across Africa and beyond.
IS-Somalia, spearheaded by Somali national Abdulqadir Mumin, an ex-al-Shabab member, has established itself as a significant force. Mumin, who previously lived in Sweden and the UK and holds British citizenship, rallied followers in a 2015 video pledge to IS. Under IS-Somalia’s influence, foreign recruits flocked to the region, making it a hub for IS training and finance.
In a USA Treasury report, it was noted that in 2022, IS-Somalia amassed $2 million (£1.5 million) from extortion, local businesses, and agricultural activities. Although Puntland Forces pushed IS-Somalia out of Bosaso in early 2025, the militant group still entrenches itself in nearby villages and the al-Miskad mountains.
Life Under IS Control
In Dardar, a village of 600, fear pervaded daily life as IS enforced a strict regime. Local residents recount chilling prohibitions, including:
– No mixing between men and women in public.
– Men could not wear trousers below their ankles or have trendy haircuts.
– Women were mandated to wear specific hijabs with gloves and socks, while music was outright banned.
“The harsh rules left deep scars,” local imam Said Mohamud Ibrahim laments, “Life became unbearable. Many went missing. We lived in constant fear.”
Among the affected families, Mahad Jama recalls how IS fighters kidnapped and killed his niece, Shukri, two years ago. “She was a loving daughter and a practicing Muslim,” he expresses sorrowfully, reflecting on the injustice of her death. Shukri, who was pregnant at the time, left behind two young children, including a deaf seven-year-old son killed alongside her.
The Puntland Defence Forces successfully captured Dardar in February 2025, aided by U.S. strikes that eliminated three IS militants the previous May.
Women in the Fight Against IS
Despite ongoing threats, women like Muna Ali Dahir, a 32-year-old officer, bravely participate in the fight. “We fought hard and won… because this is our land,” she asserts. As preparations for potential casualties ramp up, the atmosphere shifts rapidly: soldiers ready their machine guns in anticipation of confrontation.
The recent estimates from the UN indicate that the Islamic State has about 800 fighters in Somalia, with a significant number comprising foreign militants. Puntland Forces claim to have killed hundreds of IS fighters over the past 16 months and detained numerous foreign recruits from various countries, including Ethiopia, Morocco, and Syria.
Despite concerns raised by Human Rights Watch regarding the treatment of detainees, Puntland’s authorities promise trials, with potential death sentences for the most serious cases.
The Ongoing Fight Against IS in Somalia
Abdikhair Jama, who was just 14 when IS first appeared in his region, reflects on his initial disbelief about their existence. “But when I held one of them, I realized foreign fighters were attacking our country,” he says, underscoring the harsh realities faced by local soldiers.
Amidst the sounds of combat, heavy machine guns are prepped as supplies are readied for deployment. An army commander indicates that American surveillance drones are assisting in the operation, with mortar fire targeting IS positions amid cave structures.
As efforts intensify, Abddikhair vows, “We won’t stop until the last fighter is captured.” He emphasizes that reclaiming their homeland is paramount, declaring, “Whether it takes 10 or 15 years, we will go wherever they move or hide. Only when the land is fully cleared will we rest.”
While these soldiers endure difficult living conditions under makeshift shelters, their motivation remains strong. Muna Ali Dahir shares her hope for a better future for her eight children, despite being apart from them for almost a year. “They say: ‘Mum is coming back, and we will win.’ It drives me to fight,” she concludes.
The battle against IS in Somalia is far from over, but the commitment to root out this threat continues against daunting odds.