The Puntland regional administration has released a list containing the names, photographs, and countries of origin of more than 50 Islamic State (ISIS) fighters captured in the Calmiskaad mountains in northeastern Somalia.
The images, displayed beneath the flags of the countries the suspects are believed to come from, show that the detainees originate from a wide range of nations, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
“Regardless of where they came from—near or far—they all share the same extremist ideology,” Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mahmoud Aydiid Dirir, told the BBC.
Fighting between Puntland security forces and ISIS militants has been ongoing in the Calmiskaad mountain range for more than a year. Before the offensive, the area served as one of the group’s major strongholds.
“These arrests demonstrate the success of our forces and the defeat inflicted on ISIS,” the minister added.
Why Did Puntland Publicly Release the List?
Minister Dirir said the decision to publish the list was driven by three main reasons.
First, he explained, it was important for the people of Puntland and Somalia as a whole to see the military victories achieved, including both militants killed and those captured alive.
Second, he said the governments of the countries the fighters came from needed to be informed that their citizens had committed crimes in Somalia and were attempting to spread further instability.
Third, he noted that due to changing geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, it was essential for the wider international community to understand what has been happening in the region.
According to the minister, only three of the countries listed share a land or sea border with Somalia, while most of the captured fighters came from countries thousands of kilometres away.
The detainees include fighters captured during combat as well as others who surrendered voluntarily.
What Will Happen to the Captured Fighters?
When asked what action would be taken against the foreign ISIS suspects, Minister Dirir said they would be treated in accordance with criminal and counter-terrorism laws.
“Terrorists are dealt with in different ways around the world, depending on their role,” he said.
“Some were ordinary fighters, some were misled and now express regret, while others were ideological leaders who planned and managed operations. Each will be treated according to how they fought and the crimes they committed.”
He confirmed that Puntland has established contact with some of the countries of origin, while other governments have reached out independently. He noted that some fighters may have entered Somalia without their home countries’ knowledge.
The minister added that, under legal principles, criminals are generally prosecuted where the crime was committed, though international security cooperation remains essential.
He also confirmed that additional foreign ISIS members remain in Puntland prisons, beyond those recently shown to the public.
Why the Calmiskaad Mountains Matter
The Calmiskaad (Cal Bari) mountain range, located in Bari region, is remote and extremely difficult to inhabit. Security experts believe ISIS chose the area because it provides natural protection from airstrikes, including those conducted by the United States and its allies.
Former Puntland intelligence chief and police commander General Abdi Hassan Hussein (Abdi Yare) previously told the BBC that the terrain heavily favours militant groups.
“Geographically, the battlefield is mountainous and dangerous. Vehicles have limited access, and the militants had time to clear routes and plant large numbers of landmines,” he said.
The mountain range stretches for nearly 300 kilometres, running from areas south-east of Bosaso to the districts of Caluula, Bargaal, Xaabo, and Qandala, and is characterised by steep cliffs, valleys, caves, and deep ravines.
ISIS in Somalia: Background
The Islamic State group rose to global prominence in the 2010s, particularly in Iraq and Syria, but its presence has increasingly shifted toward parts of Africa.
ISIS in Somalia was formed in 2015 by a breakaway faction from al-Shabaab, which is aligned with al-Qaeda. Although smaller than al-Shabaab, the group is known for brutal extortion of civilians and sporadic attacks.
In 2023, U.S. forces killed ISIS leader Bilal al-Sudani and 10 others in a cave complex in northern Somalia during an operation ordered by then-President Joe Biden.
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