Puntland, AFRICOM Conclude Two-Week Operation Targeting ISIS Leadership in Golis Mountains

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BARI: Puntland’s regional government and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, have concluded a two-week air and ground operation targeting ISIS-Somalia positions in the Puntland region. The strikes focused on leadership safe havens in the Golis Mountains, including Baalade and Almiskat, near Boosaaso in Bari region.

According to Puntland Counter Terrorism Operations the offensives involved a collaboration with the US forces. “For the past two weeks, an air and ground operation has been underway in Almiskat, targeting the fleeing ISIS terrorists. The airstrikes were carried out by Puntland’s U.S. partners- US Africa Command, while on the ground our forces are vigorously pursuing the operation,” the command centre said in post on X.

The operations are part of an ongoing campaign by Puntland’s security forces, supported by the United States and the United Arab Emirates, aimed at dismantling ISIS’s command structures and weakening its operational capabilities in the area. Baalade valley has long been recognized as a key ISIS stronghold, serving as a base for planning attacks and carrying out bombings against Puntland authorities and security forces.

AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson said the operation demonstrates the U.S. commitment to protecting both Americans and Somali partners from extremist threats. “These lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to ensuring Americans and our partners remain safe from the threat of global terrorism,” he said, commending U.S. military personnel, civilian staff, and Somali partners for their roles.

Puntland officials added that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to remove ISIS from areas around Boosaaso, ensuring long-term peace and stability in Bari, a region critical to Puntland’s trade and economy. Preliminary reports suggest the strikes inflicted significant losses on ISIS fighters, though no official casualty figures have been released.