US carries out fresh airstrikes on ISIS militants in Somalia: military

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US Africa Command has continued to sustain airstrikes against the ISIS-Somalia militants, proving its support for the stabilization process in the Horn of Africa, and coming out as a dependable partner in the war against violent extremism.

Last week, the US military conducted a precision strike in the caves of Calmiskaad mountains within southeast Bosaso, targeting the militants who have been on the run since the operation started late last year.

The command said the operation was intended to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to threaten the United States, its allies, and Somali security forces. No casualty figures were released, but it is believed that the military targeted top operatives.

Before this particular airstrike, the US Africa Command had conducted a similar operation on September 13th, 2025, which reportedly killed a man believed to have been transporting arms within the Sanaag region for al-Shabaab.

However, this claim was disputed by locals who maintained that the victim was a renowned clan elder with no ties to the group. But the US Africa Command, which is closely working with Puntland forces, has yet to give a rebuttal.

So far, the US Africa Command has conducted close to 79 airstrikes in Somalia targeting both the Al-Shabaab militants and the ISIS militants. Puntland regional troops have been conducting special operations alongside the US troops.

According to General Abdi Hassan Hussein, the former Puntland police chief, close to 200 ISIS fighters remain in the Cal-Miskaad mountains. Among them is a small number of foreign fighters who are training them.

The strike came just days after Gen. Abdi Ali Qalyare, commander of Puntland’s second Darwish battalion, was killed in a roadside bomb attack. The ISIS militants are fleeing for their safety following sustained attacks against them.

GAROWE ONLINE