In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the ISIS-Somalia terrorist organization in Somalia on Sept. 10, 2025.The airstrike occurred in the Golis Mountains in Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia's ability to plan and conduct attacks that 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.

Friday September 12, 2025FILE — Fighters from ISIS-Somalia survey the rugged terrain of the Golis Mountains in Puntland. The militant group has used the remote range as a stronghold for training, shelter and staging attacks in northeastern Somalia.Mogadishu (HOL) — U.S. Africa Command said it carried out an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in Puntland’s Golis Mountains on Sept. 10, in coordination with Somalia’s federal government.The strike marked the 76th U.S. strike in Somalia this year, the highest annual total on record.AFRICOM described the target area as the Golis (also known as Al-Madow) range in northeastern Somalia, a rugged stronghold where the faction has used caves and steep terrain to shelter fighters and stage operations. The geography has made the area a recurring focus of air and partner-ground actions.The disclosure came a day after the command announced a Sept. 9 strike against al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle. The tempo of operations highlights a dual-front campaign: U.S. strikes are hitting al-Shabaab in southern Somalia while simultaneously backing Somali and Puntland forces against ISIS-Somalia in the northeast.ISIS-Somalia emerged in 2015 after defectors split from al-Shabab and pledged loyalty to the Islamic State. U.S. counterterrorism profiles say the branch raises funds, recruits internationally and has plotted activity beyond Africa. Recent U.S. and UN-cited assessments indicate the Somali branch hosts a key ISIS finance office known as “Karrar,” and that Abdul Qadir Mumin, who has long been identified as the faction’s emir, may have risen to lead the global organization, though the group has not publicly confirmed his name.The branch remains small compared with al-Shabab but has grown in manpower and reach. A Congressional Research Service brief updated this month assessed ISIS-Somalia at roughly 600 to 800 fighters, with more than half believed to be foreign nationals—an influx U.S. officials link to concerns about external plotting.Financial and facilitation networks have also drawn U.S. action. The Treasury Department sanctioned ISIS-Somalia operatives in 2022 and 2023, describing the group as a regional funding hub that moves money, foreign fighters, supplies and ammunition across ISIS nodes in Africa.Thursday’s disclosure fits a wider 2025 campaign. AFRICOM and open-source tallies show an elevated strike tempo this year, with 38 declared U.S. strikes on ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabab between Feb. 1 and June 10, followed by a two-week operation targeting ISIS-Somalia that the command said concluded on Aug. 23. Earlier releases flagged ISIS-Somalia strikes near Bossaso on June 15 and July 6, areas tied to the same mountain corridor.Regional partners have pressed attacks on the ground. Puntland authorities said this year they seized positions and inflicted casualties in the Golis area during their own operations, while urging sustained international backing. Those claims could not be independently verified, but they reflect the partner-led approach the United States says it supports.U.S. officials have pursued both leadership and network targets in northern Somalia in recent years.AFRICOM provided no casualty figures from the Sept. 10 strike and said further details would be withheld to protect ongoing operations. AFRICOM stopped publishing casualty figures and civilian harm assessments earlier this year, a change officials linked to the Trump administration’s review of reporting practices. Rights groups and researchers say that has left an accountability gap, as the scope of civilian harm from this year’s record pace remains unclear.

Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) says it carried out an airstrike on September 10 against ISIS-Somalia fighters in Puntland’s Golis Mountains, working in coordination with Somalia’s federal government. The strike took place in the rugged Al-Madow range in northeastern Somalia, an area where ISIS has long used caves and rough terrain to hide fighters and stage attacks. The operation marked the 76th U.S. strike in Somalia this year—the highest annual total ever recorded. The disclosure came just a day after AFRICOM confirmed another strike on September 9 targeting al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle. Together, these actions highlight a dual-front campaign: U.S. forces are striking al-Shabaab in the south while backing Somali and Puntland forces against ISIS-Somalia in the north. ISIS-Somalia first emerged in 2015 after a group of fighters broke away from al-Shabaab and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Though smaller than al-Shabaab, the faction has steadily grown in manpower and influence. U.S. officials now estimate its strength at between 600 and 800 fighters, with more than half believed to be foreign nationals. Officials warn this influx of foreigners raises concerns about the group’s ability to plot attacks beyond Somalia. The branch is also known for its financial role in ISIS’s global network. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned ISIS-Somalia members in 2022 and 2023, describing the faction as a funding hub that moves money, recruits, weapons, and supplies across Africa. Intelligence assessments also suggest the group manages a key financial office known as “Karrar,” which helps support ISIS operations outside Somalia. Some reports indicate the group’s long-time leader, Abdul Qadir Mumin, may have risen to head the global ISIS organization, though this has not been confirmed publicly. The U.S. military has kept up pressure on the group throughout 2025. Between February and June alone, AFRICOM reported 38 strikes against both al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia. A two-week operation concluded on August 23, targeting ISIS positions in Puntland. Earlier this year, strikes were also reported near the coastal city of Bossaso, which sits along the same mountain corridor as the recent September 10 attack. Local Somali forces have carried out their own campaigns against ISIS in the Golis Mountains. Puntland officials said this year that they had seized positions and inflicted losses on the militants, though their claims could not be independently verified. Even so, the announcements reflect a wider push for Somali-led ground operations supported by international partners, including the U.S. U.S. officials say their strikes have focused not only on ISIS-Somalia’s fighters but also on its leadership and financial networks. However, AFRICOM provided no casualty numbers for the September 10 strike and said further details would not be released to protect ongoing missions. Earlier this year, the command stopped publishing casualty figures and civilian harm assessments, citing a review of reporting practices. Human rights groups say this lack of transparency leaves an accountability gap at a time when the pace of strikes in Somalia is higher than ever. Despite the uncertainty about civilian impact, the increased tempo shows Washington’s determination to contain extremist groups in Somalia. By maintaining pressure on al-Shabaab in the south and ISIS in the north, U.S. forces hope to limit the groups’ ability to expand their reach, raise money, and plot external attacks. Still, questions remain over whether airstrikes alone can reduce the long-term threat without stronger Somali-led security structures on the ground.

Home / Somali News / Puntland News 13 September, 2025 A statement from the US government said that it carried out an airstrike in the Cal-miskaad mountains of the Bari region… A statement from the US government said that it carried out an airstrike in the Cal-miskaad mountains of the Bari region targeting ISIS militias. A statement from the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said that it targeted ISIS militias in an airstrike in the Golis mountains, especially in Calmiskaad. The bombing was said to have taken place in the caves of the Baallade stream where ISIS groups, including key leaders, are trapped, according to officials from the Hilaac operation. The Puntland defense forces have recently carried out intense operations in the Baallade stream, seizing bases, water wells, military equipment, medicine and other materials belonging to the ISIS group. Explore more on these topicsRelated Posts

Home / Somali News / Puntland News 13 September, 2025 War ka soo baxay dowladda Maraykanka ayaa lagu sheegay in ay buuraha Cal-miskaad ee gobolka Bari… War ka soo baxay dowladda Maraykanka ayaa lagu sheegay in ay buuraha Cal-miskaad ee gobolka Bari ka fulisay duqeyn diyaaradeed oo ay ku beegsatay mileeshiyaad ka tirsan kooxda Daacish.Qoraal ka soo baxay Taliska Ciidanka Maraykanka ee Qaaradda Afrika (AFRICOM) ayaa lagu sheegay in ay mileeshiyaad ka tirsan Daacish ku beegsadeen duqeyn diyaaradeed oo ka shacday buuraha Golis gaar ahaan Calmiskaad.Duqaynta ayaa la sheegay inay ka dhacday godad dhaca togga Baallade oo ay ku go’doonsan yihiin kooxo ka tirsan Daacish oo ay ku jiraan horjoogayaal muhiim ah, sida laga soo xigtey saraakiil katirsan hawlgalka Hillaac.Ciidanka difaaca Puntland ayaa muddooyinkii dambe hawlgallo xooggan ka wadey togga Baallade iyagoo la wareegey saldhigyo, ceelal biyood, saanad ciidan, dawo iyo agab kale oo ay lahayd kooxda Daacish. Explore more on these topicsRelated Posts

The US government, in a press release, announced that it had carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS militants in the Calmiskaad mountains. The statement from the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said that the airstrike targeted ISIS militants in the Golis mountains, specifically in Calmiskaad.Discover moreRegional conflict updatesSports news coverageRegional political insights Security sources involved in Operation Calmiskaad also said that the airstrike took place in the caves of the Baallade stream where ISIS militants, including key leaders, are holed up. PUNTLAND POST

Dowladda Maraykanka oo warsaxaafadeed soo saartay ayaa shaacisay in ay buuraha Calmiskaad ka fulisay duqeyn diyaaradeed oo ay ku beegsatay mileeshiyaad ka tirsan kooxda Daacish. Warkan oo ka soo baxay Taliska ciidamada Maraykanka ee Qaaradda Afrika (AFRICOM) ayuu ku sheegay in ay mileeshiyaad ka tirsan Daacish ku beegsadeen duqeyn diyaaradeed oo ka shacday buuraha Golis gaar ahaan Calmiskaad.Discover moreRegional conflict updatesSports news coverageRegional political insights Ilo wareedyo amni oo ka tirsan Hawlgalka Calmiskaad ayaa sidoo kale laga soo xigtay in duqeyntaasi ka dhacday godad dhaca togga Baallade oo ay ku go’doonsan yihiin kooxo ka tirsan Daacish oo ay ku jiraan horjoogayaal muhiim ah. PUNTLAND POST

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has intensified its counterterrorism operations in East Africa with a series of precision airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia operatives. These strikes, conducted in close coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, reflect a strategic effort to dismantle the operational capabilities of one of the region’s most dangerous extremist groups. On February 1, 2025, U.S. forces carried out a targeted strike that resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIS members. AFRICOM confirmed that the operation was executed with careful planning to avoid civilian casualties, underscoring the U.S. military’s commitment to minimizing harm while pursuing high-value targets.A subsequent strike on March 29, 2025, focused on the Almiskat Mountains southeast of Bosasso, an area known to harbor ISIS strongholds. Intelligence reports had identified the location as a hub for planning and coordinating attacks across Somalia and neighboring regions. The operation successfully eliminated several key operatives, further degrading the group’s ability to conduct terror activities. AFRICOM reiterated that no civilians were harmed in the strike, a detail that carries significant weight given the sensitivity of military actions in populated areas and the importance of maintaining local support.These operations are part of a broader U.S. strategy to support Somalia’s efforts in restoring stability and combating extremist threats. ISIS-Somalia, though smaller than its al-Shabaab counterpart, has demonstrated a growing capacity for violence and recruitment, particularly in Puntland and other northern regions. By targeting leadership figures and disrupting logistical networks, the U.S. aims to weaken the group’s influence and prevent it from expanding its reach. The Somali government has welcomed the support, viewing it as a critical component in its ongoing battle against insurgency and terrorism.The strikes also signal a continued U.S. presence and engagement in East Africa’s security landscape, reaffirming its commitment to regional allies and the broader fight against global jihadist movements. While the long-term impact of these operations remains to be seen, they represent a tactical success in the effort to contain and neutralize extremist threats. As ISIS-Somalia attempts to regroup and adapt, sustained international cooperation and intelligence sharing will be essential to maintaining pressure and safeguarding progress made on the ground.