Puntland Captures Two Suspected ISIS Fighters Near Bosaso

Puntland Captures Two Suspected ISIS Fighters Near Bosaso

BOSASO, Somalia, Sept. 9, 2025 (citizensom.com) — Puntland authorities announced on Tuesday that security forces arrested two suspected members of the Islamic State group as they attempted to enter Bosaso in the Bari region.

The Puntland Counter-Terrorism Operations unit said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, that the men were intercepted while trying to cross into the city secretly. Both were identified as Ethiopian nationals.

“Our forces have captured 2 fleeing #ISIS terrorists attempting to secretly enter Bosaso. Both are Ethiopian nationals; one spoke limited Somali and claimed they escaped from #ISIS. Each carried only dry food & a bottle of water,” the statement read.

Authorities did not immediately provide further details about the suspects’ backgrounds or where they were traveling from.

Bosaso, a strategic port city on the Gulf of Aden, has witnessed periodic militant activity. Puntland security forces regularly conduct counterterrorism operations in the region against both Islamic State and al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate.

The latest arrests come amid heightened security concerns in northern Somalia, where militants have attempted to exploit porous borders and rugged terrain. Analysts note that while ISIS maintains only a small presence in Somalia compared to al-Shabab, it has sought to recruit fighters and stage attacks in Puntland’s mountainous areas.

Officials said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects remain in custody. Puntland authorities emphasized their commitment to preventing extremist groups from destabilizing the region.