Garowe (KAAB TV) – Puntland security sources confirm that the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), working in concert with Puntland defence forces, carried out air-strikes on hideouts of the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) (also known as Daesh) on Thursday night.
The airstrike occurred in the Baallade Valley of the Calmiskaad mountainous area where the Puntland forces have been battling the ISIS-Somalia since late last year.
The operation focused on known cave and trench systems in the stream’s vicinity, where militants had been isolated.
According to officials, the bombed locations included the wells and sites at Hays, Barikallah and Maraagade within the Baallade area, where Puntland troops had encircled the target group.
Following the nighttime bombardment, early this morning the defence forces carried out ground assaults on the same targeted zones—aimed at ensuring no fighters escaped or are regrouping in the area.
The operation is reported to still be underway, with clearing and sweep efforts in the rugged terrain of the Baallade valley to eliminate remaining militant presence.
As yet there is no official breakdown of casualties, damage to infrastructure or civilian impact.
This air-ground campaign is part of a broader counter-terrorism operation in the Cal Miskaad Mountains / Baallade region of Puntland, where ISS has maintained a foothold.
USAFRICOM confirmed an air-strike in the region on 7 July 2025, emphasising precision targeting of hideouts in the Baallade valley.
On 24 August 2025, local officials reported overnight U.S. air-strikes on ISS positions in Baallade, specifically in “Maraagade” area.
The rugged terrain—cave systems, wells, valley streams—has made clearing operations challenging, hence the combination of air-strikes followed by ground sweeps.
The air strikes targeted militants sheltering in the Baallade valley and adjoining mountainous terrain.
Immediately afterward, ground forces commenced operations to exploit the disruption caused by the air-strikes and prevent escape.