Somalia: US-Puntland Joint Operation Hits ISIS Stronghold, Senior Militants Killed and Captured

BOSASO, Somalia - The U.S. Special Operations Forces, alongside the Puntland Counter-Terrorism Forces, conducted a direct raid in Baallade Valley, involving ground and aerial combats, targeting the ISIS militants in Cal-Miskaad mountains.

According to the US Africa Command, the operation in HabarBajuuke cave in Ballade Valley was supported by 10 helicopters, which launched an assault on a large cave located in the Ballade area within the Cal-Miskaad mountain range.

The forces landed on the ground and executed the mission following a confrontation between U.S. troops and members of IS-Somal. This marks the first operation conducted by U.S. forces inside Puntland. During the raid, several prisoners were captured, and key IS-Somal figures, including senior leaders, were killed.

The operation, which lasted several hours, included a U.S. ground deployment in support of Puntland forces as they executed a carefully planned assault on militant positions, officials said, Tuesday.

"In the Calmiskaad area, high-value ISIS targets were struck in a joint air and ground operation carried out by Puntland’s U.S. partners supporting the ongoing mission. Further details will be shared in due course," the Puntland Counter-Terrorism Forces reported.

Initial reports indicate that a significant number of ISIS fighters were killed, while several others were captured during the raid. The specific details about the operation shall be released soon, the military further said in a statement.

Calmiskaad mountains have been the epicentre of the ongoing military operations in Puntland, with several fighters killed in the last year. Dozens of foreign terrorists have either surrendered to authorities or been arrested during the crackdown.

The US President Donald Trump announced in February one of the first operations in the Cal-Miskaad mountains and pledged to work with local authorities in fighting the group. The US is a close partner of Somalia in the counter-terrorism war.

GAROWE ONLINE