The Puntland Defense Forces have begun strengthening newly integrated Dervish units to operate in areas recently cleared of ISIS militants in the Al-Miskaad mountains, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
A formal presentation of the Puntland Dervish forces took place in the Dhaadaar area along the Jacayl stream, where the troops were officially inducted into Puntland’s national security structure. According to military officials, the forces will now receive salaries through the government’s military payroll system.
Officials from the Puntland Defense Forces told Horseed Media that the newly nationalized units will be deployed to the Al-Miskaad mountains to maintain security and prevent the area from once again becoming a safe haven for ISIS insurgents.
The move comes as part of Puntland’s broader security strategy following recent military operations that successfully dislodged ISIS fighters from strongholds in the rugged Al-Miskaad terrain.
In a related development, the Puntland government recently redeployed units that participated in the Al-Miskaad operations to the Cawsane area in the Sanaag region. These forces are expected to take part in Operation Thunder, an ongoing security campaign in the Al-Madaw area aimed at stabilizing strategic locations and suppressing militant activity.
Puntland authorities say the continued deployment and formal integration of local forces is key to sustaining long-term security gains in the region.
