In a major victory for the ongoing Hilaac Campaign against the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia aka ISIS), Puntland forces yesterday captured the strategic villages of Dhaadaar and Dhasaan in the Togga Jecel valley, further eroding the group’s presence and control in the region. The capture of Dhaadaar and Dhasaan, which came without any significant resistance from ISIS militants, marks a critical milestone in the second phase of the campaign and sets the stage for a transition to the counterinsurgency phase of the operation.
However, as Puntland forces approached the villages, they encountered no resistance from ISIS militants, who appear to have abandoned their positions and fled deeper into the mountains. This lack of resistance, which has become a recurring theme in recent days, suggests that ISIS may be losing its will to fight and its ability to maintain control over key terrain in the face of the relentless pressure from Puntland forces.
The Significance of Dhaadaar and Dhasaan
The capture of Dhaadaar and Dhasaan is a significant strategic and symbolic victory for Puntland forces and a major blow to ISIS’s operational capabilities and morale in the region. The village, located deep in the heart of the Togga Jecel valley, had long been a key stronghold for the group, serving as a base for its terrorist activities and a sanctuary for its leadership and fighters.
Dhasaan’s location, nestled in a narrow and rugged valley surrounded by steep cliffs and dense vegetation, had made it a particularly challenging target for Puntland forces. The village’s natural defenses, combined with the extensive fortifications and defensive positions constructed by ISIS, had led many to believe that it would be a formidable obstacle in the Hilaac Campaign.
However, the fact that Puntland forces were able to capture Dhaadaar and Dhasaan with relative ease is a testament to the effectiveness of their tactics and the growing demoralization and disarray within ISIS’s ranks. The group’s apparent decision to abandon yet another key stronghold, rather than stand and fight, is a clear indication that it is losing its grip on the region and its ability to project power and influence.
The capture of Dhaadaar and Dhasaan also has important symbolic value, as it represents a major milestone in the second phase of the Hilaac Campaign and sets the stage for the transition to the counterinsurgency phase of the operation. With ISIS now pushed out of most of its major strongholds in the Togga Jecel valley, Puntland forces can begin to focus on the more complex and challenging task of rooting out the group’s remnants and preventing its resurgence.
Start of Counterinsurgency Phase
While the capture of Dhaadaar, Dhasaan, and other key ISIS strongholds in the Togga Jecel valley is a significant achievement for Puntland forces, it is important to recognize that the fight against the group is far from over. As the Hilaac Campaign transitions to the counterinsurgency phase, Puntland forces will face a new set of challenges and risks that will require a different approach and set of skills than those employed in the earlier phases of the operation.
In the case of Al-Miskaad Mountains, the challenges of counterinsurgency are likely to be particularly acute, given the region’s rugged terrain, and its history of underdevelopment.
To effectively address these challenges and prevent the resurgence of ISIS and other extremist groups, Puntland forces will need to adopt a more holistic and integrated approach that goes beyond purely military measures. This will require greater engagement with local communities, including efforts to address their needs and concerns, build trust and legitimacy, and promote economic development and social cohesion.
It will also require a more nuanced and context-specific understanding of the drivers of insurgency and extremism in the region, including the role of clan dynamics, resource competition, and political marginalization. Without addressing these underlying factors, any gains made through military operations are likely to be short-lived and unsustainable.
