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Puntland confirms 46 ISIS deaths in U.S. airstrikes on Al-Miskad Mountains


Sunday February 2, 2025


FILE - Gen. Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, known as Faadhigo, spokesperson for Puntland’s anti-ISIS operations

Garowe (HOL) — Puntland officials have claimed that U.S. airstrikes have killed 46 members of ISIS in the Al-Miskad Mountains, a remote area in northeastern Somalia’s Bari region.

Gen. Mahamoud Mohamed Ahmed, known as Faadhigo, who leads Puntland’s operations against ISIS, said the strikes targeted key hideouts used by the militants, destroying underground bunkers and shelters. The death toll, confirmed through intelligence gathered by the U.S. and Puntland security services, highlights the ongoing effort to dismantle ISIS’s presence in the region.

“Verification of the identities of those killed is ongoing, and we will release the names once the process is complete,” said Faadhigo. He added that senior ISIS leaders were among those killed, although their names have not yet been publicly disclosed. An official announcement identifying the key figures is expected in the coming days.

Puntland forces have been ordered to secure the strike zones within 24 hours, but Gen. Faadhigo warned of potential risks from chemical residues left by the strikes. “We are exercising caution to protect our forces from harmful exposure,” he added.

The Al-Miskad Mountains, with their rugged terrain and remote location, have long served as a haven for ISIS militants in Somalia, enabling the group to evade detection and launch attacks. Puntland, which has a semi-autonomous status within Somalia, has been at the forefront of combating militant groups, including ISIS and al-Shabab, often without direct support from Somalia’s federal government.

Addressing the federal government’s role, Faadhigo emphasized that Mogadishu had no involvement in the latest airstrikes or Puntland’s broader anti-ISIS operations. “The federal government has remained silent for three months while we continue to fight this battle,” he said.

The U.S. has increased airstrikes in Somalia as part of its broader counterterrorism strategy targeting ISIS and al-Shabab.

Puntland’s latest success comes amid its broader military campaign to root out ISIS’s operational networks, limit recruitment, and stabilize areas under threat. 



 





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