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Hiiraan Online Today from Hiiraan Online: Somali Music advertisements U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS-Somalia bases in Puntland’s Al Miskaad Mountains FacebookFacebook messengerTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInTelegramEmail Tuesday October 28, 2025 FILE - Smoke rises over the rugged Al Miskaad Mountains in Puntland’s Bari region, where Somali and U.S. forces have carried out joint operations targeting ISIS-Somalia militants entrenched in the remote highlands. Mogadishu (HOL) — The United States military has confirmed carrying out two airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia militants in the rugged Al Miskaad mountain range of Puntland’s Bari region. The mountainous terrain, which stretches across the Golis range, has long served as a hideout for ISIS-linked fighters operating in Puntland’s remote areas. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strikes were carried out on October 24 and 26 in the Al Miskaad mountain range, about 85 kilometers southeast of Bosaso, a strategic port city along the Gulf of Aden. “AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad,” the command said in a statement. It did not release casualty figures or operational details, citing security concerns. Since April, the command has also suspended public release of civilian harm assessments. Regional officials in Puntland confirmed that local security forces have stepped up operations against ISIS cells in Al Miskaad, working closely with AFRICOM in intelligence-sharing and logistical support. ISIS-Somalia has remained active in Puntland since its split from al-Shabaab nearly a decade ago, using the region’s mountain’s caves, and valleys to train and regroup and relying on guerrilla tactics to evade ongoing air and ground operations. Puntland authorities have claimed recent successes against the group, describing the militants as largely defeated, though reports from the area indicate continued resistance. ISIS-Somalia first emerged in 2015 as a splinter faction of al-Shabaab following internal disputes within the larger militant organization. The group established its base in Puntland’s remote mountains, maintaining smaller cells across northern Somalia. The latest airstrikes highlight Washington’s renewed focus on Puntland, where U.S. and Somali forces have coordinated a growing number of operations this year. The strikes also come amid a wider U.S. military campaign across Somalia. AFRICOM has also continued air operations in support of the Mogadishu-based federal government’s war against al-Shabaab in central and southern regions. According to data compiled by Antiwar.com, the latest strikes bring the total number of U.S. airstrikes in Somalia in 2025 to 86, already surpassing previous annual records. The Trump administration set the prior record in 2019 with 63 strikes, while President Biden authorized 51 over his four-year term. The United States has been engaged in counterterrorism operations in Somalia since 2007, following its support for an Ethiopian invasion that ousted the Islamic Courts Union, a broad coalition that briefly governed Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab emerged as a radical offshoot of that movement, and ISIS-Somalia later splintered from al-Shabaab in the country’s north. AFRICOM reaffirmed that it “will continue to coordinate with the Federal Government of Somalia to disrupt terrorist operations and protect U.S. and partner interests in the region.” Opinion| Privacy Policy|Sports|Somali Music|Somali Map All Rights Reserved Copyright. © 1999-2025, www.hiiraan.com
