According to local security officials, the clashes were part of a wider Puntland military initiative to dislodge ISIS militants responsible for a recent uptick in rural attacks. The mountainous terrain around Qandala has long served as a stronghold for the group’s Somali affiliate, which has been accused of extorting, robbing, and kidnapping civilians.

In one reported incident, ISIS fighters abducted a man named Ahmed Ibrahim Adan in the Unun area of Qandala district. His fate remains unknown, and search efforts by his family and local residents are ongoing.

Despite suffering losses, ISIS reportedly retreated from two fortified positions, suggesting that Puntland forces achieved limited territorial success. However, the deaths of several soldiers—some allegedly from contaminated water—highlight the operational challenges in the region.

Persistent Security Threats In Northeast Somalia

ISIS has maintained a presence in remote corners of Bari, where difficult geography and limited state control hinder sustained operations. Local communities have continued to suffer from militant coercion, particularly pastoralists whose livestock and livelihoods are frequently targeted.

While Puntland forces have carried out multiple offensives in the area, ISIS’s resilience signals the complexity of fully dismantling its networks. Analysts warn that without sustained logistical support and regional coordination, efforts to root out the group may remain inconclusive.