Bosaso, Somalia, SOA — Puntland security forces have captured a suspected member of the Islamic State (ISIS) during an ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the rugged Almiskaad mountain range. The detainee, identified as Turkish national Hassan Atar, was apprehended during the latest phase of Operation Hila’a, a major effort to eliminate extremist threats in northern Somalia.
The Puntland Counter-Terrorism Force (PCTF) reported that the arrest took place on June 15, 2025, as the suspect attempted to flee the scene of an operation targeting known militant hideouts. The PCTF described the arrest as a significant milestone in their campaign against ISIS cells believed to be active in the region.
Authorities have not released further details regarding Atar’s role or background, and his alleged affiliation with ISIS has yet to be independently verified.
Operation Hila’a, now in its fourth and final phase, has focused on sweeping through areas in Almiskaad. The broader objective of the operation is to disrupt the operational capacity of both ISIS and Al-Shabaab, two groups responsible for destabilizing parts of Somalia through asymmetric warfare, including bombings, assassinations, and sabotage.
Security officials view the mountainous terrain of northern Puntland as strategically important for extremist groups due to its isolation and difficult accessibility. The current operation seeks to deny such groups safe haven and reestablish state presence in remote regions.
Puntland’s security strategy continues to focus on sustained counterterrorism operations and pre-emptive action to prevent regrouping of militant elements. The arrest of a foreign national during this phase of Operation Hila’a underscores the international dimension of extremist recruitment and the growing complexity of regional security threats.
