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On 31 December 2024, twelve Islamic State Somalia (ISS) militants carried out a large-scale, coordinated assault on a Puntland Forces camp in Dharjaale Village, Iskushuban, Bari Region. The attack began with a suicide bomber detonating a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) at the forces' supply headquarters, followed by five militants launching a secondary armed assault on a nearby defensive position. Shortly afterwards, two more suicide bombers, including one armed with a medium machine gun, drove a second VBIED into the main camp. At the same time, four additional fighters stormed the base, engaging in direct clashes with Puntland troops.
The militants employed a range of weapons during the assault, including VBIEDs, explosive belts, machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), highlighting a high level of coordination and operational planning. The attack resulted in the deaths of 22 Puntland soldiers, left several others wounded, and led to the destruction of at least ten military vehicles. According to Al-Naba, the militants involved came from seven different nationalities, emphasising the group's global recruitment efforts.
Identification and Propaganda Messaging
Al-Naba #475 identified the twelve suicide bombers involved in the attack by name: 1) Abu Anis al-Maghribi, 2) Batter al-Yemeni, 3) Abu al-Walid al-Ethiopian, 4) Abu al-Zubair al-Tunisi, 5) Mujahid al-Tanzania, 6) Musab al-Tanzani, 7) Munir al-Tanzani, 8) Qatada al-Jazrawi, 9) Jalibib al-Libi, 10) Abu Baraa al-Maghribi, 11) Jalibib al-Jazrawi, and 12) Abi Ibrahim al-Tanzani. These individuals were portrayed as martyrs and heroes, with their photographs prominently displayed in the publication to glorify their involvement in the attack and inspire potential recruits.
The emphasis on their national origins and the use of images serves as a powerful propaganda tool designed to project a sense of international unity and commitment among IS's ranks while reinforcing the group's ideological messaging about sacrifice and religious martyrdom.
Tactical Shift and Preemptive Strike Narrative
Naba #475 also declared the attack as a preemptive strike, framing it as a defensive measure rather than an act of aggression. The publication claimed that ISS intelligence had identified an imminent large-scale offensive by Puntland Forces, prompting the group to strike first to disrupt the planned operation and inflict significant casualties before their adversaries could mobilise. This framing aligns closely with the group's ideological narrative of defensive jihad, where violence is portrayed as a necessary response to perceived threats against the Islamic State.
The assault site, Dharjaale Village in the Iskushuban District, is located in the rugged, mountainous Bari Region, a known ISS stronghold. The challenging terrain provides natural defensive advantages, which the ISS has long exploited to evade large-scale military operations and maintain a strategic foothold.
Strategic and Operational Shift for ISS
This assault signals a significant evolution in ISS’s operational tactics. Historically, ISS in Somalia maintained a low operational tempo, conducting limited but precise attacks to reinforce the perception that it lacked the capacity for large-scale operations. However, the scale, complexity, and coordination of this attack—featuring multiple VBIEDs, suicide bombers, and direct armed confrontations—challenge that perception and reflect a shift toward more aggressive, high-profile operations.
The tactics used in this assault closely mirror those of their regional rival, al-Shabaab, whose operations frequently feature coordinated VBIED attacks and mass armed engagements, especially in Mogadishu. ISS's ability to penetrate 80 kilometres into Puntland-controlled territory and strike a critical military encampment not only erodes confidence in Puntland's security capabilities but also strengthens ISS's propaganda efforts. Such high-profile attacks bolster recruitment, presenting ISS as a formidable force capable of rivalling al-Shabaab's regional influence.
ISS as a Key Financial and Operational Node
Despite its historically low operational tempo—only two recorded attacks in the past seven months—ISS has continued consolidating its influence, particularly in the Al-Miskaad Mountains. Beyond battlefield operations, ISS plays a critical role as a financial hub within the broader Islamic State network. The group facilitates the flow of resources to other IS affiliates across Africa and the Middle East, reinforcing the organization's resilience even in the absence of frequent attacks.
This financial leverage enables ISS to sustain its insurgency, challenge rival groups like al-Shabaab, and resist Puntland’s counter-terrorism efforts. The Dharjaale assault underscores ISS’s increasing capacity for tactical operations and shaping regional power dynamics through a blend of financial influence, strategic propaganda, and operational effectiveness.
Broader Counter-Terrorism Challenges and Strategic Failures
The attack in Dharjaale occurred just one week after Puntland Forces, in collaboration with American forces, announced the launch of a counter-terrorism operation (CTO) targeting ISS positions in the Bari Region. Rather than deterring the group, the CTO announcement provoked ISS into launching a preemptive strike, effectively forcing Puntland Forces into a defensive posture instead of advancing their campaign. This reactive shift echoes patterns seen in other regions where IS affiliates, such as in the Sahel and parts of Syria, have exploited gaps in local security strategies to expand their reach. The incident highlights a broader issue in counter-terrorism efforts. While international collaboration and military operations can disrupt terrorist activities temporarily, they often fail to contain the ideological and operational growth of groups like ISS.
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