BOSASO (KAAB TV) – The United States has launched a series of nighttime airstrikes targeting Islamic State (ISIS) bases in the rugged Balacade Valley of northeastern Somalia, as fierce ground clashes continue between Puntland regional forces and the militant group entrenched in the Calmikaad mountains.
According to local security officials, the coordinated air campaign began late Saturday afternoon and extended into the early hours of Sunday morning. The strikes focused on the Maragade area, a well-fortified ISIS stronghold characterized by mountainous terrain, concealed trenches, and natural defenses that have historically made it difficult for ground forces to penetrate.
Residents in parts of Bosaso, a major port city in the Bari region, reported hearing loud explosions throughout the night, further confirming the scale and intensity of the operation.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, were also deployed in targeted strikes on suspected ISIS-linked locations near the Biyo Kulule area. These actions were reportedly coordinated with intelligence gathered from Puntland military commanders, who have increased their presence and reconnaissance activities in the region over recent weeks.
The clashes come on the heels of intense ground fighting on Friday, during which Puntland forces suffered multiple casualties. Following the engagement, regional military leaders have temporarily suspended their on-the-ground operations as they assess the damage inflicted by the U.S. air campaign and recalibrate their strategy.
Efforts to clear the mountainous region remain hindered by both the difficult terrain and the strategic positioning of the militant fighters. ISIS has long used the natural features of the Calmikaad mountains to entrench itself, making eradication efforts particularly challenging.
This latest escalation represents one of the most significant confrontations between Puntland’s regional forces and ISIS militants in recent months. The Puntland administration has ramped up military efforts in an attempt to fully dismantle the group’s presence in northeastern Somalia—a region that has seen growing instability due to extremist insurgency.
Military officials have stated that further joint operations with international partners are being considered as part of a broader counterterrorism campaign aimed at restoring security and weakening the operational capabilities of ISIS in the Horn of Africa.