Puntland Forces Capture Tuurmasaale from ISIS with U.S. Air Support

By Jama Ayaanle Feyt‎Journalist, Horn of Africa Security Expert & Political Analyst

Puntland government forces have captured Tuurmasaale village in Somalia’s Bari region from ISIS/Daesh, known locally as Daacish, according to journalist Ayub Abdirizak, an independent reporter who has recently been reporting from the front line. Earlier, U.S. warplanes carried out airstrikes in the area, providing air support to Puntland forces.

“Today we visited Tuurmasaale village as a group of journalists, with the visit facilitated by Puntland forces, who had taken it over from the terrorist group,” Abdirizak said. He is among Somalia’s most highly regarded journalists, often focusing on military operations and the country’s security situation.

Puntland launched an offensive in the Calmiskaad mountains to clear out ISIS’s presence there, with support from the United States and the UAE. Puntland’s Darawiish forces, which have a long history of defeating extremist groups, have achieved successive victories since the operation began, earning praise from international partners.

Who is involved

The report says Puntland government forces — the security forces of Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland State — captured Tuurmasaale village in the Bari region. The enemy is identified as Daacish, the Somali term commonly used for ISIS/Daesh, not al-Shabaab.
Where this is happening

Bari region is in northeastern Somalia, within Puntland. The Calmiskaad mountains, also spelled Cal Miskaad, have for years been described as a hideout and operational base for ISIS-Somalia fighters. The group is smaller than al-Shabaab but has remained persistent in that mountainous area.
U.S. and UAE roles

The text says U.S. warplanes conducted airstrikes in support of Puntland forces. It also says Puntland’s operation has support from the United States and the UAE. In practice, this reflects broader counterterrorism cooperation Puntland has received, including air support and training or assistance from international partners.
Why Tuurmasaale matters

Capturing a village near the Calmiskaad area can matter tactically: it may help Puntland forces cut off ISIS fighters’ movement, logistics, and hiding routes. Village control is often part of a broader effort to push militants out of mountainous terrain and deny them a safe haven.
The journalist’s role

Ayub Abdirizak is presented as a respected Somali journalist known for frontline and security reporting. His account gives an on-the-ground element to the report, but like most war-zone reporting, the claims would ideally be corroborated by independent sources, official military statements, or international monitors.
The “Darawiish” reference

“Darawiish” here refers to Puntland’s forces, named after the historical Dervish movement. The text credits them with a long record of fighting extremist groups and says they have had repeated successes since the operation began.
Tone and caution

The report is framed positively toward Puntland’s forces and their international partners. It does not give casualty figures, dates, or independent verification. The main takeaway is: according to this report, Puntland has taken Tuurmasaale from ISIS, with U.S. air support, as part of a larger Calmiskaad mountains offensive backed by the U.S. and UAE.