Inside the War Against ISIS in Somalia’s Hidden Mountains

Inside the War Against ISIS in Somalia’s Hidden Mountains

High in the remote Al-Miskad Mountains of northeastern Somalia, a small group of soldiers gathers around a handheld screen, watching live drone footage. On the grainy display, a lone figure moves cautiously through a rocky valley toward a cave. Military intelligence believes the cave shelters dozens of fighters from the Islamic State (ISIS).

This tense scene captures the frontline of Somalia’s long-running battle against extremist groups. For years, the rugged Al-Miskad range — once home only to nomadic herders — has transformed into a strategic stronghold for ISIS militants driven out of the Middle East. Today, local forces supported by international allies are fighting to reclaim every inch of this harsh terrain.

Puntland’s Frontline Fighters

The semi-autonomous region of Puntland has become the epicenter of operations against ISIS-Somalia. At a remote mountain base, roughly 500 soldiers from the Puntland Defence Forces prepare for imminent clashes.

Despite the brutal environment — where there is no running water, no electricity, and shelter consists of makeshift tents — morale remains firm. Supplies arrive by helicopter, while camels transport heavy weapons across rocky slopes.

Among the troops is 32-year-old officer Muna Ali Dahir, one of the few women serving on the front lines.

“We fought hard and won… because this is our land,” she says, her voice steady with resolve.

 

While many soldiers prepare for direct combat, Dahir remains at base to coordinate medical response for casualties — a reminder that modern warfare depends on logistics as much as firepower.

ISIS-Somalia: A Regional Hub

ISIS-Somalia was founded in 2015 by Abdulqadir Mumin, a Somali national and former member of Al-Shabaab. After splitting from Al-Shabaab, Mumin built ISIS-Somalia into a key financial and training hub for the group’s global network.

According to United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), ISIS increasingly shifted its operational focus to Africa following losses in Syria and Iraq. By 2025, U.S. officials warned that Somalia had become a central coordination point for ISIS affiliates worldwide.

Although recent operations have weakened ISIS’s ability to conduct major attacks, analysts warn the group still plays a critical logistical role — channeling funds, training fighters, and facilitating international networks extending as far as Afghanistan.

Life Under Extremist Rule

Before Puntland forces reclaimed villages like Dardar in early 2025, residents endured years of fear under ISIS control.

Strict rules governed daily life. Men were banned from wearing certain clothing styles. Women were forced to wear specific garments covering nearly every inch of skin. Music was outlawed. Public mixing between men and women was forbidden.

Local imam Said Mohamud Ibrahim recalls being expelled from his mosque.

“They told me they were the new imams,” he says. “If I refused, they would kill me.”

For many families, the trauma runs even deeper.

Villager Mahad Jama still mourns his pregnant niece, kidnapped and killed by ISIS fighters. Her young deaf son was murdered alongside her.

“You can’t imagine the pain,” he says quietly. “A child’s death is impossible to accept.”

International Support and Drone Warfare

The fight against ISIS in Somalia has drawn sustained international backing, particularly from the United States Department of Defense. American forces have conducted dozens of airstrikes targeting militant hideouts, while surveillance drones provide real-time battlefield intelligence.

During recent operations, mortar fire echoed through valleys as Puntland forces targeted suspected ISIS caves. U.S. drones later conducted precision strikes on entrenched fighters. Damage assessments showed scorched cave entrances, though the exact militant casualties remain unclear.

Foreign Fighters and Legal Concerns

The United Nations estimates that ISIS-Somalia commands up to 800 fighters, more than half of them foreigners. Puntland authorities report capturing militants from countries including Ethiopia, Morocco, Syria, and Turkey.

One young soldier, Abdikhair Abdiriza Jama, recalls the shock of confronting foreign extremists for the first time.

“I thought it was propaganda,” he says. “But when I captured one, I realized they had truly invaded our country.”

 

However, human rights groups including Human Rights Watch have raised concerns about due process and detainee treatment, especially as some suspects face the death penalty.

A Long War Ahead

Despite significant progress, experts warn ISIS-Somalia remains resilient. Security analysts believe the group could regroup if pressure eases.

For Puntland’s soldiers, however, the mission is clear.

“We won’t stop until the last fighter is captured,” Jama says. “Even if it takes 15 years.”

 

Between battles, soldiers endure isolation and harsh living conditions. For Dahir, long phone calls with her eight children provide emotional strength.

“They tell me we will win,” she says. “That’s how I know I am doing the right thing.”

 

As Somalia continues its campaign to reclaim territory from extremist groups, the Al-Miskad mountains stand as a stark symbol of both the cost of conflict and the determination of those fighting to secure their homeland.