Monday March 3, 2025

Garowe (HOL) — Puntland security forces have reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that wounded ISIS fighters received medical treatment at hospitals in Hargeisa, Somaliland, and that several businesses allegedly supplied goods to the militant group, according to reporters embedded with Puntland forces who reviewed documents recovered from areas recently retaken in the Al Miskaat Mountains.

The findings, retrieved during military operations in the Bari region, purportedly indicate that businesses in Somaliland may have facilitated ISIS operations, either through direct trade or financial transactions. Authorities have launched an investigation and have temporarily restricted releasing the names of hospitals and businesses allegedly involved.

Puntland has previously accused Somaliland of harbouring or facilitating extremist groups, including ISIS and al-Shabab. Somaliland authorities have consistently denied these allegations, and Hiiraan Online has not independently verified the authenticity of the documents.

Last week, Puntland forces claimed they discovered Somaliland currency in militant hideouts in areas they recently reclaimed from ISIS.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni stated that the next phase of Operation Hillaac would focus on dismantling networks suspected of supporting ISIS. “We will pursue those who aid and finance terrorist groups,” Deni said.

Security officials have intensified counterterrorism efforts in the region, aiming to disrupt the logistical and financial structures that sustain militant operations in Somalia.