Friday June 13, 2025
Bossaso (HOL) – The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM),
in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, carried out an
airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia fighters on June 10, 2025, in a remote area
southeast of Bossaso in Puntland.
In a statement released on Tuesday, AFRICOM confirmed the
strike but withheld specific operational details, citing the need to maintain
operational security.
“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and
Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability
to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and
our citizens abroad,” the statement read.
The strike comes amid a broader security operation launched
by Puntland authorities on June 8 aimed at dismantling ISIS cells in the
mountainous areas of Bari region. The campaign is being supported by both the
United States and the United Arab Emirates, according to Puntland security
officials.
“This operation specifically targets areas where ISIS
fighters are congregating,” a Puntland security official told local media,
adding that the goal is to eliminate the group’s remaining footholds in the
region.
ISIS-Somalia is considered a smaller but still dangerous
militant group, primarily operating in Puntland’s mountainous terrain. The
group has previously claimed responsibility for targeted assassinations and
bombings in the region.