Recent US airstrikes in Somalia’s Puntland region have eliminated high-ranking Daesh operatives, according to local authorities. The strikes took place in the Golis mountains, an area where the group has established a foothold.
The Puntland Defence Forces, engaged in operations against Daesh since December, confirmed that the strikes resulted in the deaths of significant figures within the group. The regional government described US support as “invaluable” in the ongoing campaign.
Somalia’s federal government stated that the operation in the Bari region was jointly coordinated with US forces and targeted senior Daesh leaders. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was briefed on the attack, reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and expressed gratitude for Washington’s military support.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that multiple Daesh operatives were killed in the strike, with no civilian casualties. Experts identify Abdul Qadir Mumin, a Puntland native, as the group’s leader in Somalia. He has evaded previous US strikes, making him a key figure in the global Daesh network.