Somali security forces said they have killed several insurgents and seized eight outposts in the semi-autonomous Puntland region.
Somali military officials said that operation in the northern province was centred around the Cal Miskat mountains in the Bari region.
The killed insurgents have a relatively small presence in Somalia compared to the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab, but experts have warned of growing activity.
Last year, a United Nations counter-terrorism official warned of increased attacks by insurgents in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
According to Ahmed Rage, one of the military commanders in the area, heavy fighting was underway as the armed militias took positions inside a cave in the mountain, but he added that the army was making progress and cont inues to advance onto the stronghold positions.
