US Africa Command confirms defensive airstrike against ISIS in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A few hours after Somalia’s Information Ministry confirmed an airstrike in southeastern areas of Bosaso, the US Africa Command, which coordinated the attack, has taken responsibility while terming it a 'defensive' operation within the region.

In a statement, the US Africa Command noted that the 'initial assessment is that multiple enemy combatants were killed and that no civilians were injured or killed'. The number of the militants killed was not immediately disclosed.

Reports indicate that the victims were gathering within the area to wage an attack against security forces before their elimination. The US has periodically assisted Puntland regional forces in fighting the ISIS militants within the state.

"ISIS-Somalia has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. and partner forces. This group's malicious efforts threaten U.S. national security interests," the command said in thr statement.

"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 civilians abroad."

Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security, the Command added. Calmiskaad mountains have been the battlefield for the operations against ISIS militants for the last three months.

Puntland Defense Forces are steadily advancing towards the Miraale, a key area in the Cal-Miskaad mountain range of the Bari region, where US airstrikes have recently been carried out to weaken the capabilities of ISIS.

Senior officials in the Puntland Defense Forces confirmed to Garowe Online that following a series of airstrikes, the forces launched their most intense ground operation to date to eliminate ISIS in the hills, with the operation termed as 'successful'.

GAROWE ONLINE