U.S. Carries Out Airstrike in Somalia’s Puntland, Aiding Fight Against ISIS

BOSASO, Somalia - The US Africa Command has yet again engineered an airstrike in Somalia’s northern state of Puntland, showcasing its commitment towards fighting violent extremism in the Horn of Africa nation, which has been struggling with instability for years.

For the last five months, the Puntland force, with the help of the US Africa Command, has been pursuing ISIS militants in the Bari region, leading to massive gains, with the group losing on various frontlines across the country.

According to the government of Somalia, the airstrike was activated at least 70 kilometers southeast of Bosaso, in the rugged terrain of Puntland’s Bari region, an area known for harboring extremist cells affiliated with ISIS.

Officials said the airstrikes were launched in aid of the Puntland forces, who had been undertaking operations within the region. The Puntland counterterrorism operations started five months ago, with various gains reported in recent months.

Although the US Africa Command has yet to confirm the airstrike, the Somali government said the operations are still active, with the group set to assess the extent of damage before an official statement is released under its doctrines.

"As the operations remain ongoing, efforts are currently underway to assess the extent of the damage inflicted on the enemy and finalise mission objectives," read the statement from the government.

“This joint action underscores the continued commitment between Somalia and its international partners to degrade terrorist threats and restore stability,” the Somali government said in a statement.

The United States is one of the major global financial partners of the federal government of Somalia in the fight against both ISIS militants and Al-Shabaab. The al-Shabaab is also facing defeat in the southern parts of the country due to ongoing operations.

GAROWE ONLINE