GAROWE (KAAB TV) – Drone strikes carried out by U.S. forces have targeted militants in the Al-Miskaad Mountains of the Bari Region, within the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia.
According to the Puntland regional government, intelligence gathered in cooperation with international partners identified the militants.
After reconnaissance and operational planning, a heavy air attack was launched.
Officials from Puntland’s defence forces stated that many of the militant leaders operating in the mountainous terrain were foreign nationals.
This is reportedly the second such strike within a week by the U.S. forces. To date, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has not issued a detailed public statement regarding the casualties or scope of the operation.
The Puntland government confirmed that U.S. strikes in the Al-Miskaad mountains targeted senior members of the Islamic State – Somalia (ISIS-Somalia) group.
One report said that the airstrike in the region killed more than 13 foreign ISIS fighters in the Dhasaq area of the Al-Miskaad range.
The federal Somali government and AFRICOM confirmed two joint airstrikes near Bosaso in late May/early June 2025, targeting ISIS-Somalia hideouts in the Bari region.
The region of Puntland has repeatedly called for more international assistance, including hardware to counter drones and explosives, to support its counter-terrorism operations.