Somalia reports U.S. airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia militants in Puntland

Somalia on Monday reported that a U.S. airstrike targeted Daesh/ISIS militants in the northeastern Puntland region, in an operation conducted on May 11.

According to a statement issued by the Somali government, the strike took place in the Shilim-Cas area of the Miraale Valley, in the mountainous Bari region. It was carried out jointly by the Federal Government of Somalia and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

The statement said the targeted fighters were attempting to regroup after recent setbacks. “As the operation remains ongoing, efforts are currently underway to assess the extent of damage inflicted on the enemy and to finalise mission objectives,” it read.

Puntland officials described the strike as a major blow to the group’s ability to reorganise and launch attacks from its remote hideouts.

Operations against Daesh/ISIS in Puntland have been ongoing for months, involving regional ground forces with air support from the U.S. and the UAE. The group, which has a large number of foreign fighters, is believed to have lost much of its territory due to the sustained campaign.