U.S. military forces launched multiple airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) positions in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region Monday night, according to local reports. The operation, which has yet to be officially confirmed by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) or Puntland officials, took place near key security force positions in the Cal Miskaad mountains.
ISIS on the Defensive
Somali outlet Shabelle Media Network reported that American warplanes struck areas where ISIS fighters had been massing in recent weeks. The militants have faced mounting pressure since Puntland Security Forces (PSF) launched Operation Hilaac in January 2025 to dislodge them from their mountain strongholds. AFRICOM has supported the regional offensive with previous airstrikes.
A Growing ISIS Sanctuary
The Cal Miskaad range has become a critical ISIS hub since the group’s territorial defeats in Iraq and Syria. Sky News previously documented how militants have established farms, families, and recruitment networks in the area alongside their cave hideouts. The group’s use of bomb-laden drones—last deployed in a late September attack—has raised alarms among counterterrorism forces.
Puntland’s Strategic Role
Puntland, which functions independently from Somalia’s federal government, has clashed with Mogadishu over constitutional changes. Its security forces have emerged as a primary bulwark against ISIS expansion in the Horn of Africa. While AFRICOM has not commented on the latest strikes, past U.S. operations in the region suggest ongoing coordination with regional partners.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/africa/2026/11/10/report-u-s-bombs-somalia-in-anti-islamic-state-action/