Key ISIS Financer, Recruiter Among 14 Militants Killed in U.S Airstrike in Puntland

GOOBJOOG NEWS|PUNTLAND: A key ISIS recruiter and financier was among 14 militants killed in a February 1 airstrike, the US. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has said as air and ground operations against the terrorist group intensify.

AFRICOM said in a statement Tuesday that the airstrike targeted senior ISIS-Somalia leadership in a series of cave complexes approximately 50 miles southeast of Bosaso.

“Among those killed was Ahmed Maeleninine, a key ISIS recruiter, financier, and external operations leader responsible for the deployment of jihadists into the United States and across Europe,” the statement read in part.

The death of Maeleninine adds to increasing revelations that several foreign jihadi fighters from ISIS central may have moved and pitched tent in the mountain ranges in Bari region, where the group sprang up in 2015.

Puntland Security Forces have mounted massive ground operations in the Al-Miskad mountain ranges killing several militants and destroying their bases.

The forces have also brought down several drones used by ISIS to spy on the state forces.