Amid the craggy peaks of the Cal Miskaad mountain range, where terracotta landscapes meet the azure waters of the Gulf of Aden, sits a man—silent and solitary. He’s beside the charred remains of military supply vehicles, a sombre testament to a recent skirmish that has left many counting their losses. This tableau of destruction unfolds in Bosaso, Northeastern State, in eastern Somalia, where the echoes of conflict have long resonated.
- Advertisement -
WASHINGTON — Destruction, as old as time. But here, visceral and overwhelming; almost 70 lives extinguished and 50 injured. That’s the official tally from 24 hours of bloody confrontation between Islamic State fighters and Northeastern State security, according to local officials. Why such a high toll? Battles raging around Dharin and Qurac in the Cal Miskaad mountains explain part of this costly narrative.
Confidentially, Northeastern State security officials revealed to VOA that 15 soldiers from their ranks had perished beside more than 50 militants. “This is war, raw and brutal,” noted one such official, not cleared to publicize these fatalities. Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, when communicating with VOA’s Somali Service, spoke of a clash of extraordinary magnitude, the fiercest since the campaign against mountain-ensconced Islamic State enclaves began last month. “The breath of conflict is cold and relentless,” Ahmed might have observed, had words captured the full weight of his duties.
And yet, decisions are made; Ahmed confirmed, “At least 57 Islamic State militants, foreigners without exception, perished in this encounter.” He did not specify the number of Northeastern State soldiers injured or lost, hinting instead at “substantial casualties.” How often do we overlook the harsh arithmetic of engagement? Meditating on casualty figures, Ahmed explained, “Terrain dictates tolls. In mountainous strongholds defended by improvised explosives, attackers often suffer more.”
A visual narrative emerges; media circulated unsettling footage allegedly depicting the bloodied aftermath—bodies amid rocky crags. While not independently verified by VOA, the imagery nonetheless imposes an unsettling reality. As Tuesday’s night settled, an unexpected ally intervened. A drone strike from the United Arab Emirates targeted Islamic State positions, lending crucial support to embattled Northeastern State forces.
Murmurs of progress float through Northeastern State forces’ latest missive. “Strategic conquest,” they proclaimed, speaking of Dharin in Togga Jecel, its capture a significant setback for extremist operations. Eviction of militants from contested areas was not merely hoped for, but heralded.
The drums of war beat amidst a mere backdrop of recent U.S. airstrikes, targeting what were described as Islamic State’s top echelons in Somalia—figures entwined with the darkness of leadership. U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to herald this event as targeting a “Senior ISIS Attack Planner,” suggesting a measured yet lethal incision into terror networks.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, meanwhile, echoed sentiments of gratitude directed toward the United States, for their “unwavering commitment” in confronting the shadows of global terrorism. It’s a coalition of necessity, many might suggest.
Therein lies Operation “Hilac Campaign,” Northeastern State’s recent mantle for offensive measures initiated last month following protracted readiness. Reports from Northeastern State’s command indicate a staggering death toll—some say over 150 Islamic State operatives. Seek unity with the people, Northeastern State’s leader, Said Abdullahi Deni, urged, soliciting civilian backing for an effort to reclaim rugged, militant-haunted terrains.
Support from civilians has been visibly ardent; waves of demonstrations swept the streets of Bosaso, a tide of defiance against terrorism and a public endorsement of military endeavors. This socio-political pulse signals a certain rallying ethos among Northeastern State’s populace.
Northeastern State’s autonomy, albeit strained by its relationship with Somalia’s federal governance, places it in the limelight as a region both distinctive yet bound to a larger historical fabric. Analysts point toward lingering political divides hampering cooperative anti-terror operations, suggesting that unity—not division—augurs a more powerful campaign against insurgent threats.
“Operations demand logistics beyond regional scope; federal involvement is non-negotiable,” a former prime minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake, emphasized speaking to VOA. Former intelligence head Brigadier General Abdirahman Turyare echoed this notion, noting the stark contradiction between national interests and political division.
The Islamic State, though a relatively diminutive contingent compared to the notorious al-Shabab, holds potential for upheaval. Their footprint in Somalia, small yet growing, is ominous. Last year, U.S. and Somali sources estimated IS numbers to have swelled from a lowly 100 to upwards of 600 fighters, many arrivals of Middle Eastern, eastern, and northern African origins.
Such dynamics place Northeastern State at a crucial juncture. This unfolding narrative—underscored by both fearsome militancy and fervent resistance—speaks to broader currents within Somali and global security theaters.
Faadumo Yasin Jama contributed to this report.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
