GAROWE: Authorities in Puntland have declared their intention to seek the death penalty for Islamic State (ISIS) fighters captured during ongoing counter‑terrorism operations in the Al‑Miskaad mountain range. President Said Abdullahi Deni has directed the region’s military court to impose decisive sentences, including capital punishment, on all verified members of the militant group as Puntland intensifies its efforts to eradicate the organisation’s long‑standing presence in the Bari region.
“President Deni has ordered that all members of ISIS will face sentences, including the death penalty, which will be carried out by the Puntland Armed Forces Court,” a statement from the regional administration confirmed. Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor reinforced the uncompromising stance during a judicial training session: “Puntland has spent years confronting armed groups that threaten regional stability. We anticipate the courts to take decisive action against offenders involved in terrorism and murders.”
The announcement came as Puntland security forces conducted sweeping operations targeting remaining ISIS elements in the Al‑Miskaad mountains, where the group has maintained concealed positions for nearly a decade. The terrain has long served as a strategic refuge for ISIS‑affiliated militants and foreign fighters, making it a significant front in Puntland’s counter‑terrorism initiatives. Puntland forces have killed several senior ISIS commanders in recent offensives, and the latest military push aims to fully dismantle the group’s remaining hideouts.
Puntland’s military campaign has received backing from international partners, including the United Arab Emirates and United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which have provided intelligence and logistical support. US airstrikes have repeatedly targeted ISIS cave complexes in the Bari region in coordination with Puntland ground forces. The collaboration has led to the capture of dozens of militants, including a significant number of foreign nationals from East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
The use of military tribunals and the potential imposition of the death penalty is likely to attract scrutiny from human rights organisations and international observers concerned about due process. However, Puntland officials argue that severe measures are necessary given the scale of the threat and the group’s history of violence, including executions of civilians and repeated attacks on security forces. Puntland’s military courts have previously handed down lengthy prison terms and life sentences for terrorism‑related offences, but capital punishment has rarely been applied.
The Al‑Miskaad mountains have been a focal point of Puntland’s counter‑terrorism strategy for years. ISIS first established a presence in the area around 2015, and despite periodic offensives, the group managed to maintain operational capability by exploiting remote caves and rugged terrain. Puntland launched a major offensive in late 2025 to flush out ISIS fighters, deploying hundreds of troops backed by heavy weaponry. The operation has since liberated several strategic positions and dismantled key logistics hubs used by the militants.
By publicly highlighting the possibility of death sentences, Puntland authorities appear to be sending a strong deterrent message aimed at discouraging extremist recruitment. “Puntland is committed to prosecuting individuals responsible for terrorism and murders,” Vice President Lugatoor stated. The outcomes of the current operations and subsequent legal proceedings will significantly impact Puntland’s wider security strategy and its ability to maintain long‑term stability in the Bari region.
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