Tuesday January 28, 2025
Garowe (HOL) – At least four civilians were killed in an airstrike by an unidentified military drone in the Sihan area, south of Qandala district in Puntland’s Bari region, on Monday.
The strike occurred near, a known stronghold of ISIS in the Al-Miskat mountains. According to Qandala district commissioner Ahmed Khurshe, the airstrike targeted ISIS positions but tragically resulted in civilian casualties.
“The incident deeply saddens us. The operation was intended to target ISIS,” Khurshe said, confirming the deaths of four people and injuries to several others.
The commissioner also urged residents to avoid areas near ISIS strongholds, warning that airstrikes aimed at dismantling the group’s presence in Puntland will continue.
However, it is not known which government carried out the airstrikes, but the UAE government is reportedly helping Puntland in its operation against ISIS. This marks the third airstrike in the Al-Miskat mountains since December, as Puntland authorities intensify operations to eliminate the militant group.
