The midnight strike targeted the Kunle area of Al-Miskaad.

“The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed two ISIS terrorists and no civilians were harmed,” AFRICOM stated.

The operation resulted in the deaths of at least two members of the IS-Somalia group.

The airstrike comes as Puntland security forces have been engaged in intense fighting with ISIS-Somalia militants in the mountainous region since December.

Puntland forces have reportedly driven the militants out of 70% of the area.

The United Arab Emirates has also been providing support to Puntland’s regional forces, including airstrikes and logistical assistance.

AFRICOM emphasized its commitment to ongoing operations against the group.

“Degrading ISIS and other terrorist organizations’ ability to plot and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our partners, and civilians” remains a key objective, the command said.

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Bashir Good, Somaliland’s representative to the U.S., confirmed that the administration is open to hosting a U.S. military presence in Berbera, seeing it as a move that would benefit both Somaliland and the United States.

“Somaliland is prepared to provide a military base to the United States if it aligns with the mutual interests of both parties,” said Bashir Good.

Berbera, located on the Gulf of Aden, holds a key position on international maritime routes. Its proximity to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, makes it a highly strategic location for military and commercial interests.

The city has long been central to Somaliland’s economic and security considerations.

In May 2022, a U.S. AFRICOM military plane was seen at Berbera Airport during a visit by AFRICOM officials, highlighting the growing military interest in the region.

Somaliland’s efforts to solidify its international standing include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ethiopia, granting the landlocked nation access to the Red Sea via Berbera.

This agreement is seen as a potential pathway for Somaliland to gain international recognition in exchange for facilitating Ethiopia’s maritime access.

In addition, Somaliland has an existing agreement with the UAE’s Dubai Ports World to manage and develop the Berbera Port, a deal that has included provisions for a military base.

The UAE has already established a military presence in the region, further cementing Berbera’s strategic significance.

Bashir Good also reiterated Somaliland’s broader ambitions, emphasizing the region’s commitment to building diplomatic and cooperative relations with the U.S. and other nations as an independent state.

Despite these efforts, Somaliland continues to pursue international recognition as a sovereign state independent from Somalia. However, no country has officially recognized Somaliland’s independence to date.

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