Somalia Orthographic / Sanjay Rao, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (no changes)

In a significant development, a high-ranking member of the ISIS terrorist organization, Abdirahman Shirwac—also known as Lahoor—has surrendered to security forces in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state, according to Somalia’s Anadolu Ajansı news service.

This event occurred during an extensive operation by Puntland’s security forces targeting ISIS strongholds in the Al Miskaad Mountains of the Bari region. The month-long campaign has successfully reclaimed substantial territories from ISIS control.

Lahoor, previously affiliated with the al-Shabaab terrorist group before aligning with ISIS, is implicated in multiple terrorist attacks in Bosaso, the provincial capital of Bari.is surrender was confirmed by the Puntland Counterterrorism Operations, which announced on social media platform X:

“A senior member of the ISIS terrorists has surrendered to the Puntland Counter-Terrorism Operations Forces.”

This development follows recent U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) airstrikes in Somalia, coordinated with the Somali government, resulting in the elimination of several ISIS-Somalia operatives.

Somalia has long grappled with insecurity, primarily due to threats from al-Shabaab and ISIS.ince 2007, al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency against the Somali government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).he group’s attacks have intensified following President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s declaration of an “all-out war” against them.

The surrender of a key ISIS figure marks a pivotal moment in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and restore stability within its borders.

CBS News Reported on the airstrikes: