U.S. airstrike targets ISIS militants in Puntland, Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The U.S. military said it carried out an airstrike targeting Islamic State militants in Somalia’s Al-Miskaad mountains, where local forces have been engaged in ongoing operations against the group.

In a statement released Tuesday, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strike took place on Sept. 26 in a remote area approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) southeast of Bossaso, the commercial hub of Somalia’s Puntland State. No civilian casualties or damage were reported, according to AFRICOM.

The Al-Miskaad mountain range has become a stronghold for ISIS in Somalia, particularly in Puntland, where regional security forces have been battling the group since December 2024. The area’s rugged terrain has allowed militants to maintain a foothold despite repeated offensives and targeted airstrikes.

Since former President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, the U.S. has conducted dozens of airstrikes across Somalia, with many targeting ISIS positions in Puntland and al-Shabab militants in the south. The number of strikes surged during Trump’s administration after the loosening of rules of engagement, granting military commanders more flexibility in approving operations.

While al-Shabab remains the dominant insurgent group in Somalia, ISIS’s affiliate has carved out a smaller but persistent presence in the north. Its fighters are believed to operate from remote mountain bases and have claimed responsibility for targeted assassinations and small-scale bombings, primarily in Puntland.

AFRICOM said it remains committed to working with Somali and international partners to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent the use of Somalia as a base for external attacks.

GAROWE ONLINE