Puntland Defense Forces launched a planned military operation this morning, targeting areas in the Calmiskaad mountains where intelligence reports indicate ISIS members are hiding.
A statement from the “Hillaac” operation command said that the forces are conducting clearing operations to clear areas where ISIS members are hiding.
The security forces are said to have been deployed to several areas, targeting suspected locations where these members are present.
The forces are pursuing ISIS members who have been confirmed to be in remote areas such as Walisoor and Marmarka, which are mountainous areas.
Puntland security officials said that this operation is part of a larger effort to completely eliminate ISIS cells still in the Calmiskaad mountains.
The operation comes as Puntland faces complaints from some of its soldiers who were injured in the fighting in the Calmiskaad mountains. The soldiers spoke to the media in Bosaso yesterday, complaining of poor care and medical neglect.
Reports indicate that some of the soldiers who were taking part in the fighting are protesting against not being paid for three months, while others have returned to the war zones, although they were later recalled.
Mean while, the Finance Committee of the Puntland Parliament recently announced that there are soldiers who have not received their salaries for three months, saying that the government has spent a lot of money on caring for the wounded who were taken abroad.
