In a major breakthrough in the ongoing Hilac Campaign against the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia aka ISIS), Puntland forces have successfully captured the strategic village of Dharin in Togga Jecel, dealing a significant blow to the extremist group’s operational capabilities in the region. The battle for Dharin, which was heavily fortified by ISIS fighters, was intense and prolonged, with both sides employing heavy weapons and tactics to gain the upper hand.
According to military sources, Puntland forces engaged in fierce fighting with ISIS militants in and around Dharin, with both sides using mortars and other heavy weapons to target each other’s positions. The ISIS fighters had heavily fortified the village with a network of trenches, tunnels, and defensive positions, making it a formidable challenge for the advancing Puntland troops.
Despite the challenging terrain and the determined resistance of the ISIS fighters, Puntland forces were able to break through the defenses and secure the village, thanks in part to their superior numbers and firepower. The capture of Dharin is a significant strategic victory for Puntland, as it denies ISIS a key stronghold and staging area for attacks on Puntland forces and civilian targets in the region.
Heavy Casualties
According to initial reports from the battlefield, at least 40 ISIS fighters were confirmed killed in the clashes, with many more suspected to have been killed or wounded. The true extent of the casualties on the ISIS side may not be known for some time, given the difficulty of accessing and verifying information from the remote and inaccessible areas where the fighting took place.
Puntland forces also suffered casualties in the battle, although the exact numbers have not been released. The ISIS fighters had deployed a range of tactics and weapons to slow the advance of the Puntland troops, including the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and small arms fire. At one point, ISIS fighters targeted a Puntland convoy with IEDs just 6 kilometers from Dharin, underscoring the danger and complexity of the operation.
The capture of Dharin is a testament to the growing capabilities and professionalism of the Puntland security forces, who have been at the forefront of the fight against ISIS and other extremist groups in the region.
Limited International Support
One of the most striking aspects of the Hilac Campaign, and the broader fight against ISIS in Puntland, has been the limited international support that the regional government has received. While Puntland has been able to count on the assistance of a handful of key allies, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kenya, and Ethiopia, it has largely been left to fend for itself in the face of a determined and well-armed adversary.
The UAE, in particular, has been a crucial partner for Puntland, providing training, equipment, and other support to the regional security forces. The UAE has a long-standing strategic interest in the Horn of Africa, and has been working closely with Puntland and other regional actors to promote stability and security in the region.
Kenya and Ethiopia have also been important allies for Puntland, providing intelligence, logistical, and other support to the regional government in its fight against ISIS and other extremist groups. Both countries have a direct stake in the stability and security of the Horn of Africa, and have been working to counter the threat of terrorism and extremism in the region.
However, beyond these three key partners, Puntland has received little in the way of concrete support from the international community. The United States, which has been a major player in the fight against terrorism in the Horn of Africa, has largely been absent from the Hilac Campaign, with the exception of a single airstrike against ISIS leaders in the region.
The lack of international support for Puntland’s fight against ISIS is a reflection of the broader challenges and complexities of the security landscape in the Horn of Africa. While the threat of terrorism and extremism is widely recognized as a major concern for the region and the world, the response has been fragmented and uneven, with different actors pursuing their own interests and agendas.
