Somalia: Islamic State Militants Kill Senior Commander of Puntland’s Elite Security Unit
- Mahamunimodi Team
- Aug 11
- 2 min read
A senior commander of Puntland’s elite security forces was killed on Tuesday when an improvised explosive device (IED) struck his convoy in the rugged Al Miskaad mountains — a region long regarded as a stronghold for ISIS-affiliated militants in northeastern Somalia.
The blast claimed the life of Captain Mahmoud Jama Leeho, commander of the Puntland Maritime Police Force’s (PMPF) 2nd Commando Battalion, as well as Said Mahmoud Mohamed, popularly known as Jiqda. Both officers were on active patrol in the Dasaan area of Qandala district, according to Puntland officials.
Security sources indicated that the IED was most likely planted by ISIS fighters, who continue to operate in the mountainous Bari region despite sustained counterterrorism campaigns over several years. The officers were in the midst of a planned security sweep — part of an intensified military push to dislodge entrenched militant cells that have exploited the region’s difficult terrain to evade capture.
Captain Leeho was a battle-hardened veteran with years of frontline experience. He had previously survived serious injuries during clashes in Dharjaale and Haraaryo, earning a reputation among his peers for resilience and leadership under fire. His death is seen as a major blow to Puntland’s security apparatus, as he was instrumental in leading operations against extremist networks.
The loss is also deeply personal for Puntland’s security forces. Captain Leeho was the brother of the late Colonel Nur Jama Leexo, another prominent commander who fell in combat against ISIS. The deaths of both brothers underscore the high cost borne by Puntland’s military leadership in the ongoing fight against extremism.
The Al Miskaad mountains, where Tuesday’s attack occurred, remain one of the most challenging battlegrounds in Somalia. Dense vegetation, rocky passes, and natural caves have allowed militant groups to entrench themselves, posing constant threats to security forces tasked with restoring stability to the region.
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