FILE – A solitary figure, a security officer, traverses through Balidhidin village, nestled in the rugged terrain of Northeastern State’s Bari region, Somalia, on an unusually cool January 26, 2025. A mere fortnight later, on February 11, 2025, Somali officials somberly announced a catastrophic attack by the Islamic State on a Northeastern State military base that claimed nearly 100 lives.
Imagine the chaos: Almost 100 individuals meeting an untimely demise, and around 60 others bearing injuries, as the notorious Islamic State launched a ferocious onslaught against a military installation safeguarding Somalia’s Northeastern State region. Such numbers aren’t just statistics; they paint a grievous picture of a turbulent and often hostile environment.
As the dust settled, at least 27 valiant soldiers of Northeastern State lay alongside more than 70 militants in the desolate Togga Jacel vicinity of the ominous Cal Miskaad mountains. Confirmation came from Northeastern State security personnel during their discussions with VOA.
Tuesday unfolded with Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, or as many know him – Fadhigo, shedding light on the grim events through an interview with VOA’s Somali Service. He narrated how the insurgents audaciously launched suicide assaults on the military base as daylight faded into night.
“We can affirm, with much mourning, the loss of at least 27 brave Northeastern State soldiers and 70 of the Islamic State militants during the merciless attack and subsequent skirmish,” resonated Ahmed’s words, echoing a tragic reality.
The Brigadier General emphasized—this assault stands as the most lethal strike since Northeastern State’s recent offensive efforts against Islamic State factions, lurking in shadowy mountain hideouts.
Could the death toll exceed the official count? Ahmed offered a candid perspective, suggesting, “The exact number of casualties, particularly among the militants, remains elusive. Many met their end hidden within caves. Our ongoing assessment may reveal a grimmer reality.”
According to those on the ground, the militants, armed with car bombs and suicide-laden motorbikes, initially unleashed havoc on the security base, which was then followed by an intense exchange of fire.
“We had forewarning of their approach, thanks to prior intelligence,” Ahmed recounted. “Their attack began with car bombs and explosives-laden motorbikes, igniting a fierce firefight involving scores of soldiers on both sides.”
A resolute statement from the Northeastern State forces highlighted their resilience. It read, “Northeastern State security forces have effectively thwarted the adversary’s assault intending to seize the base, maintaining their stronghold in Togga Jecel and delivering a substantial setback to the extremist militants.”
Just a week earlier, an intense 24-hour confrontation left nearly 70 individuals dead and around 50 injured, marking a continuation of the relentless battles between these factions.
This recent episode graphs the deadliest confrontation to date, a somber hallmark of the Islamic State’s aggressive offensives aimed at Northeastern State soldiers.
The broader conflict context saw earlier this month the intervention of U.S. warplanes targeting Islamic State operatives in Somalia, allegedly striking high-ranking figures nestled within the group’s mountainous domain.
In a modern twist on military announcements, U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to reveal the airstrike, asserting the main target was a “Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led.”
December marked the onset of a major Northeastern State offensive against the Islamic State. Since then, Northeastern State authorities claim to have eliminated nearly 200 Islamic State militants, encompassing numerous foreign fighters, while recapturing strategically vital villages and bases previously under extremist control.
In this turbulent narrative, pockets of hope intertwine with echoes of despair. It remains to be seen how these events will evolve, reshaping not only Northeastern State but also the broader Somali landscape.
This narrative sprang forth from the diligent work of VOA’s Somali Service. Contributions by Fadumo Yasin Jama enriched this report.
Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring
