The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) reportedly carried out a strike targeting the ISIS group in the Al-Miskaad Mountains in the Bari region, in close collaboration with the Somali Federal Government. According to a statement released by AFRICOM, the strike took place on March 16 and targeted ISIS fighters in an area located 45 km from the port city of Bosaso. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to degrade the operational capabilities of the ISIS group, which established a presence in the Al-Miskaad Mountains in 2015 as part of Puntland State. The statement also mentioned that AFRICOM, in collaboration with the Somali Federal Government, will continue to take steps to degrade the capacity of ISIS, which poses a threat to U.S. interests in the Horn of Africa. As of now, there is no confirmation of casualties inflicted on ISIS, including deaths and injuries, as a result of the strike. Puntland has been engaged in a war with the ISIS group since 2024 and has successfully taken control of many settlements in the Al-Miskaad Mountains from the group.
