The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has announced the killing of senior ISIS leaders in an airstrike targeting mountainous regions in Bari, northeastern Somalia.
According to a statement released by AFRICOM, the airstrike was carried out on February 1 in coordination with the Somali federal government.
The operation resulted in the elimination of 14 ISIS fighters, including a key leader responsible for recruitment and financial operations. The statement also confirmed that no civilians were harmed in the attack.
The announcement comes amid intensified military operations by Puntland’s counterterrorism forces against ISIS militants in the region. Puntland launched a large-scale campaign against ISIS and al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group, in December.
Authorities claim to have killed dozens of foreign fighters, seized multiple ISIS bases, and forced a senior leader to surrender.
In recent years, ISIS in Somalia has gained prominence within the group's global network, making it a frequent target of US airstrikes.
Estimates suggest the militant group has between 700 and 1,500 fighters, growing due to an influx of foreign militants and financial support. However, it remains significantly smaller than al-Shabaab, which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia.
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