Puntland security forces have arrested a Turkish national suspected of being a member of the Islamic State (ISIS) during an ongoing counterterrorism operation in northeastern Somalia.
The Turkish ISIS member, identified as Feyzul Hashim Suleyman, was captured on Monday in the Togga Balade area of Bari region as part of Operation Hilac, a large-scale military campaign targeting ISIS militants hiding in the Cal-Miskaad mountains.
This Turkish ISIS Member is Not the Only One.
As per Puntland security officials, capturing Suleyman’s marks a significant breakthrough in the region’s effort to eliminate ISIS cells operating in remote mountainous areas.
He is the second Turkish ISIS member to be captured by Puntland forces in recent months.
In June, authorities detained another Turkish citizen, Hassan Ataar, who was also linked to ISIS activities in the same area.
However, two other Turkish nationals — Emre Kemal Yilmaz and Aylin Derya Kaya are believed to be hiding in the Cal-Miskaad mountains, where ISIS maintains a small but active presence.
Turkish Fighters Linked to 2016 Coup and Syrian Conflict
Brigadier General Ahmed Abdilaahi Sheikh, a senior Puntland military officer, said intelligence reports indicate that many Turkish fighters fled their country following the failed 2016 coup attempt.
Most of them had previously served in Turkish military before joining extremist groups abroad.
Gen. Ahmed explained: “Findings show that some of these individuals fought alongside ISIS in Syria before relocating to Somalia’s Cal-Miskaad region.”
He added that ongoing investigations aim to uncover the militants’ ties to international terrorist networks and criminal organizations.
Operation Hilac: Targeting ISIS Strongholds in Bari
The capture of Suleyman is part of Operation Hilac fourth phase, which focuses on dismantling ISIS hideouts and destroying supply routes.
In addition to neutralizing militant leaders operating in Puntland’s rugged terrain.
Over the past year, Puntland’s Dervish forces have intensified operations against both ISIS and al-Shabaab cells in the Bari region.
They were targeting training camps, smuggling routes, and safe houses used by the groups.
Security officials confirmed that during Monday’s clashes in Togga Balade, Puntland forces also arrested a Somali fighter believed to be part of Suleyman’s ISIS cell.
The operation is ongoing, with several militants hiding in caves and remote mountain areas.
Foreign Fighters in Somalia Increase Security Threats
Security analysts warn that the growing number of foreign fighters in Somalia underscores the transnational nature of terrorism in the Horn of Africa.
Militants from Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa are joining local extremist groups, raising concerns that ISIS could expand its influence in the region.
Experts are urging greater international cooperation, including intelligence sharing and joint counterterrorism operations, to prevent foreign extremists from taking Somalia as a safe haven.
“The presence of foreign fighters not only strengthens ISIS’s networks but also complicates regional stability,” one regional analyst said.
Puntland Dervish Forces Continue to Fight Extremisms
Puntland officials have praised the persistence and discipline of Puntland Dervish forces.
AS they continued to operate under harsh conditions in the mountainous terrain.
Cal-Miskaad mountains, stretching across northeastern Somalia’s Bari region, have long provided a natural refuge for extremist groups.
Due to their rugged geography and limited road access.
No Place for ISIS and its Foreign Fighters in Puntland
Puntland administration reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism and preventing foreign infiltration.
“We will continue to hunt down all militants until peace and stability are fully restored,” local authorities declared in a statement.
Operation Hilac remains ongoing, with Puntland security forces vowing to sustain pressure on ISIS networks until their presence in the region is completely dismantled.
