U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia. Operations consisted of targeted strikes against ISIS leadership safe havens in the Golis Mountains. “These lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to ensuring Americans and our partners remain safe from the threat of global terrorism,” said Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Commander, U.S. Africa Command. “I congratulate our military and civilian teammates, as well as our partners in Somalia, who worked every aspect of this complex evolution. They set the standard for executing as well-planned, cross-Combatant Command operation against an organization that wishes to export their terror to the U.S. and our allies.” AFRICOM, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, will continue to assess the results of the operation. Specific details about the operation will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

The ongoing airstrikes and ground operations aim to eliminate the remaining #ISIS fugitives hiding in limited areas of #Calmiskaad #Puntland #Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BARI: Puntland’s regional government and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, have concluded a two-week air and ground operation targeting ISIS-Somalia positions in the Puntland region. The strikes focused on leadership safe havens in the Golis Mountains, including Baalade and Almiskat, near Boosaaso in Bari region.According to Puntland Counter Terrorism Operations the offensives involved a collaboration with the US forces. “For the past two weeks, an air and ground operation has been underway in Almiskat, targeting the fleeing ISIS terrorists. The airstrikes were carried out by Puntland’s U.S. partners- US Africa Command, while on the ground our forces are vigorously pursuing the operation,” the command centre said in post on X.The operations are part of an ongoing campaign by Puntland’s security forces, supported by the United States and the United Arab Emirates, aimed at dismantling ISIS’s command structures and weakening its operational capabilities in the area. Baalade valley has long been recognized as a key ISIS stronghold, serving as a base for planning attacks and carrying out bombings against Puntland authorities and security forces.AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson said the operation demonstrates the U.S. commitment to protecting both Americans and Somali partners from extremist threats. “These lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to ensuring Americans and our partners remain safe from the threat of global terrorism,” he said, commending U.S. military personnel, civilian staff, and Somali partners for their roles.Puntland officials added that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to remove ISIS from areas around Boosaaso, ensuring long-term peace and stability in Bari, a region critical to Puntland’s trade and economy. Preliminary reports suggest the strikes inflicted significant losses on ISIS fighters, though no official casualty figures have been released.

BOSASO, Somalia – U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia. Operations consisted of targeted strikes against ISIS leadership’s safe havens in the Golis Mountains. “These lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to ensuring Americans and our partners remain safe from the threat of global terrorism,” said Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Commander, U.S. Africa Command. “I congratulate our military and civilian teammates, as well as our partners in Somalia, who worked every aspect of this complex evolution. They set the standard for executing as well-planned, cross-Combatant Command operation against an organization that wishes to export their terror to the U.S. and our allies.” AFRICOM, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, will continue to assess the results of the operation. Specific details about the operation will not be released in order to ensure operations security. Source: AFRICOM statement

Puntland, Somalia – The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), working in close coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, has concluded a two-week counterterrorism operation targeting ISIS-linked militants entrenched in northern Somalia’s Puntland region. According to officials, the campaign focused on the rugged Golis Mountains, long regarded as a key hideout for ISIS-Somalia leadership and fighters. The mountainous terrain, stretching across Bari region, has provided the group with cover for training camps, weapons storage, and operational planning. AFRICOM said the operation included precision airstrikes and intelligence-led maneuvers aimed at disrupting the network’s command structure. Somali security officials confirmed that several militant positions were neutralized, though details on casualties and material losses were not immediately released. “The strikes were carefully coordinated with Somali authorities to ensure accuracy and minimize civilian impact. Our objective remains to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to conduct attacks and destabilize the region,” AFRICOM said in its statement. Puntland security forces also played a direct role, providing ground support and intelligence. Local officials in Bari region said the strikes had put pressure on ISIS operatives, some of whom are believed to have fled deeper into remote areas. ISIS-Somalia, though significantly smaller than al-Shabaab, has maintained a presence in Puntland since 2015. The group has been involved in assassinations, extortion, and sporadic clashes with both government forces and Al-Shabaab fighters. Analysts say it uses the Golis Mountains as both a recruitment hub and a financial base, exploiting local smuggling routes. Security experts noted that the latest operation signals a sustained U.S. commitment to backing Somalia’s fight against both ISIS and Al-Shabaab, particularly as the African Union’s ATMIS mission transitions to a new security framework under Somali leadership. The Somali government welcomed the operation, saying it aligns with ongoing national efforts to eradicate extremist threats across the country. “These joint operations are vital in our mission to protect Somali citizens and restore stability,” a federal security official told reporters in Mogadishu. While the operation is seen as a significant setback for ISIS-Somalia, officials cautioned that the group remains a persistent threat, requiring continued vigilance and coordinated counterterrorism efforts.

US announces operation targeting ISIS leadership The US government has issued an official statement reporting on a bombing operation that it carried out this week in the Calmiskaad mountains of the Bari region, specifically in the Baallade stream in the Bosaso district. In the statement issued by the US Forces Command (AFRICOM), it confirmed that it carried out an operation consisting of planned attacks targeting ISIS leadership hideouts in the Golis mountains in the Bari region of Puntland. "These deadly strikes demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that American citizens and our friends are safe from the threat of international terrorism," said the commander of US Africa Command, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, reporting on the operation. He also congratulated the US military and their Somali partners (Puntland forces) for establishing a well-planned and joint operational framework against groups that seek to export terrorism to the US and its partners. Puntland Post F/G The aircraft below are the ones that carried out the operation, and their photos were released by AFRICOM

Maraykanka oo shaaciyay in uu hawlgal la beegsaday hoggaanka Daacish Dowladda Maraykanka oo bayaan rasmi ah soo saartay ayaa ka warbixisay hawlgal duqeymo ah, oo ay Todobaadkan ka fulisay buuraha Calmiskaad ee gobolka Bari, gaar ahaan togga Baallade oo ka tirsan degmada Boosaaso. Bayaankan oo uu soo saaray Taliska ciidamada Maraykanka ee (AFRICOM) ayuu ku xaqiijiyay in uu fuliyay hawlgal ka kooban weerarro qorshaysan oo uu la beegsaday goobo ay ku dhuumanayeen hoggaanka Daacish ee ku sugan buuraha Golis oo dhaca gobolka Bari ee Puntland. "Duqeymahan dilaaga ah waxay muujinayaam siday nooga go'an tahay xaqiijinta in muwaadiniinta Maraykanka iyo saaxiibadeennu ka badbaadaan khatarta Argagixisada Caalamiga ah" ayuu yiri Taliyaha ciidamada Maraykanka ee qaaradda Afrika Gen. Dagvin Anderson oo ka warbixinayay hawlgalkaasi. Wuxuu sidoo kale u hambalyeeyay ciidamada Maraykanka iyo saaxiibadooda Soomaalida ah (ciidanka Puntland) oo uu ku amaanay in ay dejiyeen hal-beeg fulineed si wacan loo qorsheeyay oo wadajir ah, kaasi oo ka dhan ah kooxaha doonaya in ay argagixisada u soo dhoofiyaan Maraykanka iyo shuraakadiisa. Puntland Post F/G Diyaaradahan hoose waa kuwii hawlgalka fuliyay waxaa sawiradooda faafiyay AFRICOM

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