In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on Feb. 16, 2026.The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 70 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.

Puntland forces said they captured a man from the Islamic State group in the Tasjiic area of the Al-Khalifa mountains last night. Puntland forces officials operating there said they captured the man, Bishaar Mohamed, who is from Yemen. The forces added that the man, who was not carrying any weapons, had escaped from the Shankala command in the Balade valley, which is a place under the control of the Islamic State group. Meanwhile, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said that on February 16, it carried out an airstrike on the Islamic State group in Somalia. AFRICOM indicated that the strike took place in the Al-Khalifa mountains, specifically about 70 km southeast of the city of Bosaso, but declined to provide further details about the operation. Puntland forces have surrendered several members of the Islamic State group, mostly foreigners, in recent times. Puntland recently announced that it has changed its tactics in the fight against ISIS, turning the face-to-face battle into a siege.

Ciidamada Puntland ayaa sheegay in ay xalay saqdii dhexe deegaanka Tasjiic ee buuraha Calmiskaad ku qabteen nin ka mid ah kooxda Daacish. Saraakiisha ciidamada Puntland ee halkaas ka hawlgala ayaa xusay in ay gacanta ku dhigeen ninkan oo lagu magacaabo Bishaar Maaxamed, kaas oo u dhashay dalka Yemen. Ciidanka waxay intaas ku dareen in ninkan oo aan wax hub ah wadan uu ka soo baxsaday taliska Shankaala ee togga Baalade, halkaas oo ah meel ay talis ku leedahay kooxda Daacish. Dhanka kale Taliska Mareykanka ee Afrika (AFRICOM) ayaa sheegay in uu 16-kii bishan Febraayo uu duqeyn cirka ah ku qaaday kooxda Daacish ee Soomaaliya. AFRICOM waxay tilmaantay in duqeyntaasi ka dhacday buuraha Calmiskaad, gaar ahaan meel qiyaastii 70 km koonfur-bari ka xigta magaalada Boosaaso, hase ahaatee waxay ka gaabsatay in ay faahfaahin intaas dheer ka bixiyo hawlgalkaas. Muddooyinkii u dambeeyay waxaa dhowr jeer ciidamada Puntland isu soo dhiibay xubno ka tirsan kooxda Daacish ah oo u badan ajaaniib. Puntland waxay dhawaan sheegtay in ay baddeshay taatikada dagaalka Daacish, islamarkaana dagaalkii ka fool ka fool ka ahaa ka dhigtay go’doomin.

Home / News Somalia 19 February, 2026 Security forces intensify operations in Bari region following last year’s HILAAC offensive. BOSASO, Somalia — Security forces in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region have captured a suspected foreign fighter linked to the Islamic State group during ongoing military operations in the Al-Miskaad mountain range, officials said.According to a statement from the HILAAC operation command, Puntland defense forces apprehended the individual at midnight in the Tasjiic area, which is part of a broader zone under siege in the Al-Miskaad mountains in the Bari region. Authorities described the suspect as a foreign national affiliated with ISIS but did not disclose his identity or nationality.The capture comes as Puntland forces continue an extended campaign aimed at dismantling militant hideouts in the rugged Al-Miskaad terrain. The region has long been considered a strategic stronghold for ISIS-linked fighters operating in northeastern Somalia.Officials say the ongoing operation builds on the momentum of last year’s HILAAC offensive, which significantly weakened the group’s presence in the area. Security forces have maintained pressure on remaining cells believed to be entrenched in remote mountainous locations.Separately, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that it conducted an airstrike on February 16 targeting ISIS hideouts in the Al-Miskaad mountains. In a statement, AFRICOM said the strike occurred approximately 70 kilometers southeast of the port city of Bosaso.The U.S. military did not provide details regarding casualties or the extent of damage resulting from the airstrike.The Al-Miskaad mountains, located in Puntland’s Bari region, have served as a base for ISIS-Somalia fighters in recent years, prompting repeated ground operations by local forces and periodic airstrikes by U.S. military assets.Puntland authorities have pledged to continue their operations until militant elements are fully removed from the area, emphasizing ongoing coordination with international partners in counterterrorism efforts.Further details about the captured suspect and the outcome of the airstrike have not yet been released. Explore more on these topicsRelated Posts

Puntland forces said they captured a man from the Islamic State group in the Tasjiic area of the Al-Khalifa mountains last night. Puntland forces officials operating there said they captured the man, named Bishaar Mohamed, who is from Yemen. The forces added that the man, who was not carrying any weapons, escaped from the Shankala command in the Balade valley, which is a place under the control of the Islamic State group. Meanwhile, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said that on February 16, it carried out an airstrike on the Islamic State group in Somalia. AFRICOM indicated that the strike took place in the Al-Khalifa mountains, specifically about 70 km southeast of the city of Bosaso, but declined to provide further details about the operation. Puntland forces have surrendered several times in recent times to the Islamic State group, mostly foreigners. Puntland recently announced that it has changed its tactics in the fight against ISIS, turning the face-to-face battle into a siege. PUNTLAND POST

Ciidamada Puntland ayaa sheegay in ay xalay saqdii dhexe deegaanka Tasjiic ee buuraha Calmiskaad ku qabteen nin ka mid ah kooxda Daacish. Saraakiisha ciidamada Puntland ee halkaas ka hawlgala ayaa xusay in ay gacanta ku dhigeen ninkan oo lagu magacaabo Bishaar Maaxamed, kaas oo u dhashay dalka Yemen. Ciidanka waxay intaas ku dareen in ninkan oo aan wax hub ah wadan uu ka soo baxsaday taliska Shankaala ee togga Baalade, halkaas oo ah meel ay talis ku leedahay kooxda Daacish. Dhanka kale Taliska Mareykanka ee Afrika (AFRICOM) ayaa sheegay in uu 16-kii bishan Febraayo uu duqeyn cirka ah ku qaaday kooxda Daacish ee Soomaaliya. AFRICOM waxay tilmaantay in duqeyntaasi ka dhacday buuraha Calmiskaad, gaar ahaan meel qiyaastii 70 km koonfur-bari ka xigta magaalada Boosaaso, hase ahaatee waxay ka gaabsatay in ay faahfaahin intaas dheer ka bixiyo hawlgalkaas. Muddooyinkii u dambeeyay waxaa dhowr jeer ciidamada Puntland isu soo dhiibay xubno ka tirsan kooxda Daacish ah oo u badan ajaaniib. Puntland waxay dhawaan sheegtay in ay baddeshay taatikada dagaalka Daacish, islamarkaana dagaalkii ka fool ka fool ka ahaa ka dhigtay go’doomin. PUNTLAND POST

shulub_00 6w"ISIS man arrested and airstrike carried out in Al-Miskaad."|Puntland forces said they arrested a member of the ISIS group in the Tasjiic area of ​​the Al-Miskaad mountains last night.Puntland forces officials operating there noted that they had captured the man named Bishaar Mahamed, who is from Yemen.The forces added that the man, who was not carrying any weapons, had escaped from the Shankala command in the Balade valley, where the ISIS group has control.Meanwhile, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said that on February 16, it carried out an airstrike against the ISIS group in Somalia.AFRICOM indicated that the airstrike took place in the Al-Miskaad mountains, specifically about 70 km southeast of the city of Bosaso, but declined to provide further details about the operation.In recent times, Puntland forces have repeatedly surrendered ISIS members, mostly foreigners.Puntland recently announced that it has changed its tactics in the fight against ISIS, turning the fight from face-to-face into isolation. No comments yet. Start the conversation.