US military confirms airstrikes against ISIS militants in Somalia's Puntland

BOSASO, Somalia - For the umpteenth time, the US Africa Command has confirmed an airstrike in Somalia, which affirms Washington's commitment to the fight against violent extremists who have ruined the stabilization of the Horn of Africa nation.

In a statement, on Wednesday, the US Africa Command said the airstrikes targeted the ISIS militants in northern Somalia. The IS militants have limited presence in the country compared to the Al-Shabaab group which is dominant in southern regions.

A coordinated operation led by the United States African Command (AFRICOM) with the federal government had targeted “known hideouts of Daesh terrorists” based in the Calmiskaat mountains in the semi-autonomous Puntland region, the statement read.

The airstrikes were carried on Tuesday night with the Command confirming that reports "suggest that multiple Daesh fighters were killed, with no civilian casualties reported.” No further details were given.

Authorities in Puntland had confirmed the airstrikes earlier but did not give further information. For the last three months, the Puntland forces have been conducting operations against ISIS with the help of the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates troops.

The statement said the strikes complemented a “larger counter-terrorism initiative” currently being undertaken by local forces in the Al-Miskeed mountain range.

Dubbed Operation Lightning, the exercise has left thousands of ISIS militants dead with others left with serious wounds. Puntland declared war against the group after reports emerged from the State Department that it could pose danger in coming years.

It follows US strikes in February, which Puntland authorities said had killed “key figures” in Daesh, without giving further details. President Donald Trump announced the airstrikes against the IS-Somalia militants earlier this year after a senior commander of the group was killed.

GAROWE ONLINE