Garowe,Somalia-Heavy fighting broke out early this morning in Somalia’s mountainous Puntland region as Puntland Administration Forces launched a major offensive against Daesh (ISIS-affiliated) militants entrenched near the Baalede River.

According to reports from local security officials and the Conflict Monitoring Directorate Telegaraf , the Puntland Defense Forces engaged in intense combat with an estimated 60 to 70 Daesh fighters who have fragmented into smaller groups in an effort to resist the ongoing military operation.

The Baalede River, a strategic stronghold and key operational zone for the group, saw some of the fiercest fighting this week. Military sources confirm that Puntland forces successfully recaptured the river area today, cutting off all known escape routes for the militants.

“This marks a turning point in the ongoing offensive,” a Puntland military spokesperson said. “Our forces have neutralized the enemy’s mobility by reclaiming all exit corridors. The terrorists are now encircled.”

Initial reports indicate that Daesh suffered significant losses in the battle, although exact casualty figures have not yet been verified. Authorities say that those numbers are expected to rise as the operation nears completion in the coming hours.

Army units began clearing trench networks at dawn, dismantling what is believed to be the group’s last line of fortified positions. Intelligence suggests that three key zones—still receiving limited supplies—are serving as the final command posts for the besieged fighters.

Security analysts say this operation could deal a major blow to Daesh’s presence in northern Somalia, where the group has been attempting to regroup in remote mountainous areas.

Telegaraf News