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Puntland security forces have uncovered a strategic ISIS base in the Bari region, northern Somalia, following a U.S. airstrike that targeted the site earlier this week. The discovery, made near the Miraale River close to Bosaso, has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing fight against ISIS in Puntland. The base, described as one of the group’s most fortified strongholds, contained a cache of weapons, food supplies, and the bodies of several militants killed in the airstrike.
The operation, conducted in coordination with the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Somali federal government, targeted the base on March 25, 2025. AFRICOM confirmed that the airstrike eliminated multiple ISIS operatives without causing civilian casualties. Puntland officials have since revealed that the base was equipped with fortified bunkers, drones, and other advanced equipment, which had previously made ground operations against the site challenging.
“This was one of the most fortified bases ISIS operated from. We were never able to penetrate it until now,” a Puntland security official stated. The discovery also included 32 international passports believed to belong to foreign ISIS fighters, underscoring the group’s international reach and operational capabilities in the region.
ISIS-Somalia, which emerged in 2015 as a splinter faction of Al-Shabaab, has grown in strength over the years, with its numbers reportedly increasing from 300 fighters in 2019 to nearly 1,000 today. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Nations, and the Somali federal government. Its presence in Puntland, particularly in the rugged Al Miskaad mountain range, has posed a persistent threat to regional stability.
The U.S. airstrike and subsequent discovery of the base are part of a broader counterterrorism campaign aimed at dismantling ISIS’s infrastructure in Puntland. Puntland Defense Forces have been engaged in sustained military operations to root out the group, but the rugged terrain and the militants’ fortified positions have made progress slow and costly. The recent operation marks a turning point in these efforts, providing valuable intelligence and weakening ISIS’s foothold in the region.
The international community has praised the operation as a critical step in combating terrorism in Somalia. AFRICOM emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with Somali and regional forces to address the threat posed by ISIS and other extremist groups. “The group’s malicious efforts pose a threat to U.S. security interests and regional stability,” AFRICOM stated.
Despite the success of the operation, challenges remain. ISIS militants continue to wage deadly attacks in Puntland, often using fighters equipped with explosives. The group’s ability to recruit foreign fighters and maintain a presence in remote areas highlights the need for sustained efforts to counter its influence.
Puntland authorities have called for increased support from the Somali federal government and international partners to bolster their counterterrorism efforts. The discovery of the base has also reignited discussions about the need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of extremism, including poverty, unemployment, and political instability.
As Puntland intensifies its military campaign against ISIS, the focus remains on dismantling the group’s infrastructure and preventing further attacks. The discovery of the Miraale River base serves as a reminder of the challenges Somalia faces in its quest for peace and stability. While progress has been made, the road ahead requires continued collaboration and resilience.