In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on Oct. 26, 2025.The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 85 km southeast of Bossaso.AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia's ability to threaten the U.S. Homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

#BREAKING: Reports from the Calimskaad Mountains in Puntland state indicate that US drones have carried out heavy airstrikes there. The strikes targeted locations where Al-Shabaab members were located, according to local sources. Local residents reported hearing the sound of artillery and large explosions last night, with the attack believed to have been planned and carried out by AFRICOM forces. There has been no official statement from the Puntland administration or AFRICOM regarding casualties or the official outcome of the attack. The operation is part of efforts to curb the activities of terrorist groups operating in the mountains of northeastern Somalia.

#WAR DEGDEG AH: Wararka naga soo gaaraya Buuraleyda Calmiskaad ee ku taalla Deegaanka Puntland ayaa sheegaya in diyaaradaha Maraykanka ee duulliye la’aanta ah (drones) ay halkaas ka fuliyeen duqeymo culus. Duqeymahan ayaa lagu beegsaday goobo ay ku sugnaayeen xubno ka tirsan ururka Al-Shabaab, sida ay sheegayaan ilo-wareedyo deegaanka ah. Dad deegaanka ayaa sheegay in ay maqlayeen dhawaqa madaafiic iyo qaraxyo waaweyn habeenkii xalay, iyadoo la rumeysan yahay in weerarka uu ahaa mid qorshaysan oo ay fuliyeen ciidamada AFRICOM. Ilaa hadda ma jiro war rasmi ah oo ka soo baxay maamulka Puntland ama taliska AFRICOM oo ku saabsan khasaaraha iyo natiijada rasmiga ah ee weerarka. Howlgalkan ayaa qayb ka ah dadaallada lagu xakameynayo dhaqdhaqaaqa kooxaha argagixisada ee ka howlgala buuraha waqooyi-bari Soomaaliya.

US drones have reportedly carried out significant airstrikes in areas surrounding the Calmiskaad Mountains in the Bari region of Puntland, Somalia. Officials from the Puntland administration reported that several high-ranking members of ISIS were killed in the targeted operations. The Puntland administration stated that their intelligence, in coordination with allied partners, gathered crucial information about the targeted individuals. After completing their reconnaissance, a heavy strike was executed based on the gathered intelligence. Military officials from Puntland indicated that the strike locations were occupied by foreign fighters, many of whom are part of the ISIS leadership operating in the mountainous terrain of the Bari region. This operation underscores the ongoing challenges posed by extremist groups in Somalia. This recent operation marks the second airstrike conducted by US forces within a week. However, there has been no official communication from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which typically releases details regarding casualties following such attacks. The ongoing military efforts highlight the strategic focus on dismantling ISIS’s presence in Somalia, aiming to curb their influence and operational capabilities in the region. Updates to follow Mustaqbal

GAROWE, Somalia, Oct 28, 2025 — The United States military said Tuesday it carried out two airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia militants in the rugged Al Miskaad mountain range of Puntland’s Bari region, a remote stronghold for the jihadist faction in northeastern Somalia. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strikes took place on October 24 and 26 in the Al Miskaad mountains, around 85 kilometres (53 miles) southeast of Bosaso, a key port city along the Gulf of Aden. “AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to threaten the US homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad,” the command said in a statement. It gave no casualty figures, citing operational security, and said civilian harm assessments have been suspended since April. Regional security officials in Puntland confirmed the operations, saying local forces had intensified efforts against ISIS cells in the mountainous region, working closely with US counterparts on intelligence and logistics. ISIS-Somalia, which split from al-Shabaab nearly a decade ago, has maintained a presence in Puntland’s Golis mountain range, using caves and valleys as hideouts to regroup and train fighters. Despite repeated operations, the group continues to mount small-scale ambushes and extortion activities in remote areas. Puntland authorities have recently claimed progress against ISIS-Somalia, saying the group has been largely weakened, though residents report sporadic clashes continuing in the Al Miskaad area. ISIS-Somalia first emerged in 2015 after a faction within al-Shabaab defected and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. It has since remained limited in size but persistent, operating mainly in the country’s north. The latest strikes underscore Washington’s renewed focus on Puntland, where US and Somali forces have increased joint operations this year. AFRICOM has also continued its air campaign in support of the Mogadishu-based federal government’s offensive against al-Shabaab in central and southern Somalia. According to figures compiled by Antiwar.com, the two new strikes bring the total number of US airstrikes in Somalia this year to 86, already surpassing previous annual records. The Trump administration set the prior record in 2019 with 63 strikes, while President Biden authorised 51 during his four-year term.

U.S. Airstrikes Hit ISIS Targets in Puntland Mountains The United States military has confirmed carrying out two airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia militants in the Al Miskaad mountain range in Puntland’s Bari region. The rugged mountains, part of the Golis range, have long served as a stronghold for ISIS-linked fighters who use the remote terrain for training and regrouping. #Somalia #AFRICOM #ISIS #Puntland #USMilitary #Counterterrorism #Bosaso

Tuesday October 28, 2025FILE -  Smoke rises over the rugged Al Miskaad Mountains in Puntland’s Bari region, where Somali and U.S. forces have carried out joint operations targeting ISIS-Somalia militants entrenched in the remote highlands.Mogadishu (HOL) — The United States military has confirmed carrying out two airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia militants in the rugged Al Miskaad mountain range of Puntland’s Bari region. The mountainous terrain, which stretches across the Golis range, has long served as a hideout for ISIS-linked fighters operating in Puntland’s remote areas.U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strikes were carried out on October 24 and 26 in the Al Miskaad mountain range, about 85 kilometers southeast of Bosaso, a strategic port city along the Gulf of Aden. “AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad,” the command said in a statement. It did not release casualty figures or operational details, citing security concerns. Since April, the command has also suspended public release of civilian harm assessments.Regional officials in Puntland confirmed that local security forces have stepped up operations against ISIS cells in Al Miskaad, working closely with AFRICOM in intelligence-sharing and logistical support. ISIS-Somalia has remained active in Puntland since its split from al-Shabaab nearly a decade ago, using the region’s mountain’s caves, and valleys to train and regroup and relying on guerrilla tactics to evade ongoing air and ground operations.Puntland authorities have claimed recent successes against the group, describing the militants as largely defeated, though reports from the area indicate continued resistance.ISIS-Somalia first emerged in 2015 as a splinter faction of al-Shabaab following internal disputes within the larger militant organization. The group established its base in Puntland’s remote mountains, maintaining smaller cells across northern Somalia.The latest airstrikes highlight Washington’s renewed focus on Puntland, where U.S. and Somali forces have coordinated a growing number of operations this year. The strikes also come amid a wider U.S. military campaign across Somalia. AFRICOM has also continued air operations in support of the Mogadishu-based federal government’s war against al-Shabaab in central and southern regions. According to data compiled by Antiwar.com, the latest strikes bring the total number of U.S. airstrikes in Somalia in 2025 to 86, already surpassing previous annual records.The Trump administration set the prior record in 2019 with 63 strikes, while President Biden authorized 51 over his four-year term.The United States has been engaged in counterterrorism operations in Somalia since 2007, following its support for an Ethiopian invasion that ousted the Islamic Courts Union, a broad coalition that briefly governed Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab emerged as a radical offshoot of that movement, and ISIS-Somalia later splintered from al-Shabaab in the country’s north.AFRICOM reaffirmed that it “will continue to coordinate with the Federal Government of Somalia to disrupt terrorist operations and protect U.S. and partner interests in the region.”

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced two airstrikes in the Cal-Miskaad mountains in the Bari region, where ISIS fighters are located. The first strike was carried out on October 24, while the second was carried out on October 26. AFRICOM said both were carried out about 53 miles (85 km) from the port city of Bosaso. AFRICOM did not provide further details, as it has stopped releasing death tolls and civilian casualty assessments since April. AFRICOM said details about the units and equipment used would not be disclosed to protect the security of the operations. Puntland authorities said they had increased operations against ISIS fighters in the Cal-Miskaad mountains, with AFRICOM support.

Taliska Ciidanka Maraykanka ee Afrika (US Africa Command AFRICOM) ayaa shaaciyay laba duqeyn oo ay ka fuliyeen buuraha Calmiskaad ee gobolka Bari, halkaas oo ay ku sugan yihiin dagaalamayaal katirsan Daacish duqaynta koowaad ayaa la qaaday 24-kii Oktoobar, halka tan labaad la fuliyey 26-kii Oktoobar. AFRICOM waxay sheegtay in labaduba lagu qaaday meel qiyaastii 53 mayl (85 km) u jirta magaalada dekedda ah ee Boosaasoo AFRICOM ma aysan bixin faahfaahin dheeraad ah, maaddaama ay joojisay in ay soo bandhigto tirada dhimashada iyo qiimeynta khasaaraha rayidka tan iyo bishii Abriil. Taliska AFRICOM ayaa sheegay Faahfaahinta ku saabsan unugyada iyo qalabka la isticmaalay aan shaacin doonin si loo ilaaliyo amniga hawlgallada mas’uuliyiinta Puntland ayaa sheegay in ay kordhiyeen howlgallada ka dhanka ah dagaalamayaasha ISIS ee buuraha Cal-Miskaad, iyagoo helaya taageerada AFRICOM