In a series of stunning victories that have dealt a major blow to the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia aka ISIS), Puntland forces have captured two of the group’s most strategic and heavily fortified villages in the Togga Jecel valley, without facing any significant resistance from the militants. The latest developments mark a significant turning point in the ongoing Hilaac Campaign, which aims to eradicate ISIS from Puntland’s territory and restore peace and stability to the region.
Today, Puntland forces took control of the village of Shebaab, the largest and most important ISIS stronghold to date in the Togga Jecel valley. The village, which had long been a key hub for the group’s operations and a sanctuary for its leadership, fell to Puntland forces without a fight, as the militants apparently abandoned their positions and fled deeper into the mountains.
The day before, Puntland forces had also captured the nearby village of Curaar, another heavily fortified ISIS stronghold that had been expected to put up fierce resistance. However, like Shebaab, Curaar fell with little to no fighting, as the militants melted away in the face of the advancing Puntland troops.
Defensive Structures and Facilities
The discovery of sophisticated defensive structures and facilities in both villages suggests that the militants had invested significant resources and effort into preparing for a long and bitter fight.
In Shebaab, Puntland forces uncovered an intricate network of caves and tunnels that had been carved into the mountainside, providing the militants with a defensive position that could have been easily defended against a conventional military assault. The caves were well-constructed and reinforced, with multiple entrances and exits, and were stocked with supplies and ammunition that could have sustained a prolonged siege.
Puntland forces also discovered a bomb-making factory in Shebaab, which had been used by ISIS to produce improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other weapons for use against civilian and military targets.
Perhaps most disturbingly, Puntland forces found a hidden bunker underneath a farm in Shebaab, which had been designed to provide a secure and sustainable refuge for the group’s leadership in the event of an attack. The bunker was accessed through a concealed entrance and was equipped with its own water supply and ventilation system, allowing the occupants to survive for an extended period without outside support.
The discovery of these sophisticated defensive structures and facilities in Shebaab and Curaar underscores the level of planning and preparation that ISIS had undertaken in anticipation of a major offensive by Puntland forces. The fact that the group was able to construct such elaborate defenses in remote and rugged terrain, often under the nose of local authorities and intelligence agencies, is a testament to its resilience.
The Significance of Shebaab and Curaar
The capture of Shebaab and Curaar is a major strategic victory for Puntland forces and a significant blow to ISIS’s operational capabilities in the region. The two villages had long been key strongholds for the group, serving as bases for its terrorist activities and as sanctuaries for its leadership and fighters.
Shebaab, in particular, had been a major hub for ISIS’s operations in the Togga Jecel valley, with its extensive cave network and defensive fortifications providing a secure and easily defendable position from which to launch attacks and coordinate activities across the region. The village’s location, nestled deep in the mountains and surrounded by rugged terrain, had made it difficult for Puntland forces to access and attack, allowing ISIS to operate with relative impunity.
Curaar, while smaller than Shebaab, had also been an important ISIS stronghold, with its own network of fortified positions and defensive structures. The fact that both Shebaab and Curaar fell to Puntland forces with little to no resistance suggests that ISIS may be losing its grip on the region and its ability to maintain control over key terrain. The group’s apparent decision to abandon its positions and flee in the face of the advancing Puntland troops, rather than stand and fight, is a clear indication of its diminishing capabilities and a sign that the Hilaac Campaign may be nearing the end of its conventional phase.
