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U.S. Airstrike Kills 16 ISIS Militants in Northern Somalia

Storyline:Security

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: A U.S. airstrike in northern Somalia has killed at least 16 Islamic State militants, including two senior bomb-makers, in a major counterterrorism operation.

According to Puntland State security operations spokesman Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, the strike, carried out by U.S. forces in coordination with local security units, also destroyed an ISIS bomb-making facility.

“The operation, conducted by our international security partners, eliminated at least 16 militants, including two high-ranking members responsible for manufacturing explosives,” Ahmed stated.

Authorities are still working to confirm the identities and nationalities of the militants killed in the strike.

Ahmed further revealed that the United Arab Emirates played a role in Sunday’s attack alongside U.S. forces.

“Our partners, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, were both involved in the airstrikes that took place Sunday night,” he confirmed.

The targeted strikes hit Godka Kunle and Xankookin, two villages in the Cal Miskaad mountain range of Puntland’s Bari region, a known ISIS hideout.

Militants Respond with Drone Attacks

During the airstrikes, ISIS militants attempted to retaliate by launching drone attacks on Puntland security force bases in the area.

“The militants deployed seven drones in an effort to strike back at our security forces. Puntland forces successfully shot down five of them, while two, possibly carrying explosives, detonated,” Ahmed reported.

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) issued a statement on Monday confirming the airstrike, stating that it targeted ISIS-Somalia in the country’s northeast. According to an initial assessment, two terrorists were killed.

AFRICOM assured that no civilians were harmed in the operation and pledged to continue evaluating the results and providing further updates as necessary.

This latest strike underscores the ongoing efforts by Somali and U.S. authorities to dismantle ISIS strongholds in Puntland’s mountainous regions, where the group has sought refuge.