Monday February 3, 2025
Somalia’s Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, addresses troops during a ceremony at the Balidoogle military base in Lower Shabelle
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, on Sunday applauded recent U.S. airstrikes in the Al-Miskaad Mountains in the country’s northeastern Bari region, saying the strikes successfully killed several high-ranking ISIS operatives.
The strikes, coordinated with Somali and Puntland regional forces, targeted cave systems and bunkers used by ISIS operatives in the rugged Bari region. Nur confirmed that the operation went according to plan, resulting in significant casualties among the ISIS-affiliated fighters.
President Donald Trump authorized the strikes, signalling Washington’s continued focus on Somalia’s fight against extremism.
“U.S. airstrikes neutralized numerous ISIS militants hiding in Puntland’s mountainous areas,” Nur said during a ceremony marking the completion of a training program for elite Danab Commandos at the Balidoogle military base in Lower Shabelle. “We are grateful to the United States for their continued support, which remains vital to our counterterrorism efforts.”
The minister made these remarks during a ceremony marking the completion of a training program for units of the Danab Commandos, held at the Balidoogle military base in the Lower Shabelle region.
The airstrikes are part of ongoing joint operations aimed at dismantling extremist networks in Somalia, where both ISIS and Al-Shabaab pose threats to national security. Somali and U.S. officials confirmed that several key ISIS members were killed during the latest strikes, though the exact number has not been disclosed.
ISIS established a foothold in Somalia in 2015, primarily in Puntland, after splitting from Al-Shabaab. Although smaller in size compared to Al-Shabaab, the group has conducted deadly attacks and remains a security concern.
Puntland’s mountainous regions have long served as a safe haven for militant groups due to their challenging terrain and limited government presence. Officials emphasized that the success of these operations is crucial to sustaining momentum in Somalia’s broader fight against terrorism.
