Somalia – The semiautonomous Puntland government has confirmed that recent U.S. military airstrikes in the Golis Mountains have successfully eliminated high-ranking figures of the ISIL (ISIS) group.
The strikes, part of an ongoing counterterrorism campaign, were conducted in northern Somalia, where the Puntland Security Forces (PSF) have been engaged in operations against ISIL since December.
U.S. Strikes Target ISIL Leadership
On Saturday night, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered “precision military air strikes on a senior ISIL attack planner and other terrorists” in Somalia.
Trump shared on Truth Social that the operation resulted in the destruction of ISIL hideouts in caves, eliminating multiple operatives “without harming civilians.” He also criticized the previous administration, stating that “our Military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did.”
Puntland Confirms Successful Strikes
A statement from the Puntland government highlighted the strategic significance of the airstrikes.
“Recent air strikes have led to the neutralization of key figures within ISIS, marking a significant advancement as we progress into the second phase of our operation,” Puntland authorities stated on Sunday.
The information minister for Puntland, Mohamud Aidid Dirir, also confirmed that the attack targeted ISIL bases in the Cal Miskaad Mountains, a key ISIL stronghold within the Golis range.
“The number of casualties is still unknown as it was dark. But our forces on the frontline could hear the sound of explosions,” Dirir told Reuters.
U.S. Officials Highlight Counterterrorism Gains
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the strikes have weakened ISIL’s ability to coordinate and launch terrorist operations.
“This action further degrades ISIS’s ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians,” Hegseth stated.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed gratitude for U.S. support in the fight against terrorism.
“Your bold and decisive leadership, Mr. President, in counterterrorism efforts is highly valued and welcomed in Somalia,” Mohamud posted on X (formerly Twitter).
ISIL’s Presence in Somalia
While ISIL has a smaller footprint in Somalia compared to the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, experts warn of its increasing influence. The group has engaged in attacks across southern and central Somalia and sustains itself through extortion, smuggling, and illicit taxation in certain coastal regions.
Despite persistent counterterrorism pressure from Somali security forces, U.S. air raids, and al-Shabab rivalries, ISIL continues to operate in remote and urban areas, aiming to expand its influence through recruitment and propaganda.
According to the International Crisis Group, ISIL’s fighters in Somalia are estimated to number in the hundreds, with many concentrated in the Cal Miskaad Mountains.
The latest U.S. airstrikes mark a critical moment in the ongoing efforts to dismantle ISIL’s operational capabilities in the region. Somali and U.S. officials remain committed to further counterterrorism actions aimed at eliminating the threat posed by ISIL and other extremist groups.