BOSASO, Somalia – Nestled in the rough-hewn heart of northern Somalia, the Cal Miskaad mountains echo with the sound of conflict. The Washington Post recently shed light on these echoes, delving into a strenuous struggle that pits Northeastern State forces against resolute ISIS militants—a clash both fierce and relentless. But what truly unfolds in these arid landscapes, where the mountain air whispers tales of valor and hardship?
These mountains, their terrains rugged and unforgiving, have long acted as refuges for extremist factions. It’s here that Northeastern State’s security forces thrust themselves into a daunting struggle against ISIS, lacking the luxury of extensive external backing. Homegrown efforts spearhead their campaign against a menace not just regional in its disruption, but one that nourishes sinister webs spun across the globe.
A Battlefield Yearning for Aid
Camouflaged warriors of Northeastern State traverse these rocky bastions with an undeniable resolve, their eyes fixed on the caves that deceive the sunlight. It’s within these shadowy recesses that ISIS has rooted itself—creating strongholds that facilitate both operations and finance. Africom estimates reveal ISIS-Somalia’s ranks have swelled to roughly a thousand fighters, bolstered by a considerable influx of foreign zealots.
For over a month, a fervent storm of military offensives has ripped through these hills, reclaiming upwards of fifty strongholds, silencing the threat posed by over 150 militants. Yet, a price is exacted. Casualty figures among the brave are climbing, prompting perennial calls for aid. To date, no tactile military support from Western allies has graced Northeastern State’s efforts; even Somalia’s own federal powers, entwined with Africom, extend no hand, leaving the autonomous state to fend for itself.
Charting ISIS’s Ungodly Progress
As reported by the Washington Post, the tendrils of ISIS first took root here in 2015, born from dissenters casting off loyalties to Al-Shabaab. Abdulqadir Mumin carved out a new path, one divergent from territorial pursuits. Instead, he weaves a tapestry of global influence, securing funds through business extortions and retaliating violently against dissent. These actions fuel an ever-growing syndicate, linking Somali operatives to efforts spanning continents.
A seminal moment unfolded in January 2023, when U.S. special forces targeted Bilal al-Sudani, a financial pillar, striking deep within the caves of northern Somalia. He orchestrated a currency of chaos, directing funds that reached ISIS cells in territories as varied as Turkey and South Africa. His links extended to the Afghan arm behind the devastating 2021 Kabul airport assault.
ISIS: Adapting to Modern Warfare
Those familiar skirmishes of the past are giving way to something far more sophisticated—drones. Once confined to theaters such as Syria and Iraq, they now soar over Somali skies. Recounting tales writ in tension and sweat, soldiers spoke of these flying fiends equipped with thermal imagery, redefining night raids through precision and fear. When detonated in kamikaze assaults, drones filch life from military gear without remorse.
“Our gaze and rifles,” noted a wounded soldier, Abdiqani Muse Warsame, “are our sole defences.” These gadgets bring warfare into new dimensions, and Northeastern State’s forces must adapt or falter.
Yet another treachery roots itself in booby traps, wounded enemy fighters luring brave forces into ambushes. These loss-laden tactics have decimated engineering units tasked with neutralizing bombs—a somber plaque of mortality, listing 27 fallen from a cohort of 30 in half a decade.
New Year’s Cataclysm and Far-Flung Fighters
The evening of New Year’s Eve bore witness to a grim orchestration in Northeastern State’s Dharjaale. ISIS unleashed a synchronised wave—twelve harbingers of death strapped to bombs, neither born nor bred of Somalia. This assault’s architects hailed from corners far and wide: Tanzania, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, even Libya and Yemen. Verification from intelligence channels confirmed a stratagem composed purely of foreign hands.
One element, notorious Tunisian Abu Zubayr al-Tunisi, etched in infamy through his prior exploits in Iraq, returned to bear the standard once again. Officials reflect somberly on this unprecedented event—a first where external forces enacted terror on Somali soil.
Northeastern State: Withstandance Amidst Isolation?
Amongst inmates lie foreign soldiers—six Moroccans alleging deceit channeled them into ISIS’s embrace. Intelligence suggests otherwise, painting a picture of deliberate recruitment and cross-border travel leading to Somalia. Nevertheless, a greater question looms ominous: can Northeastern State forever shoulder this burden, its magnitude measured in far-reaching impact but scant in foreign intervention?
Although some airstrikes have punctuated U.S. engagement, such as the February 1st surgical strike upon ISIS luminaries, broader military commitment remains elusive. Africom reticence stirs doubt respecting future endeavors.
As this conflict unfurls its chapters, a poignant inquiry demands attention: will Northeastern State find the strength to continue this solitary battle—and at what eventual cost? Only time shall unravel this enigma as locals strategize subsequent combat phases, pinned with hope that endurance shall prevail over isolation.
Report By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
