Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) says it carried out an airstrike on September 10 against ISIS-Somalia fighters in Puntland’s Golis Mountains, working in coordination with Somalia’s federal government. The strike took place in the rugged Al-Madow range in northeastern Somalia, an area where ISIS has long used caves and rough terrain to hide fighters and stage attacks. The operation marked the 76th U.S. strike in Somalia this year—the highest annual total ever recorded.
The disclosure came just a day after AFRICOM confirmed another strike on September 9 targeting al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle. Together, these actions highlight a dual-front campaign: U.S. forces are striking al-Shabaab in the south while backing Somali and Puntland forces against ISIS-Somalia in the north.
ISIS-Somalia first emerged in 2015 after a group of fighters broke away from al-Shabaab and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Though smaller than al-Shabaab, the faction has steadily grown in manpower and influence. U.S. officials now estimate its strength at between 600 and 800 fighters, with more than half believed to be foreign nationals. Officials warn this influx of foreigners raises concerns about the group’s ability to plot attacks beyond Somalia.
The branch is also known for its financial role in ISIS’s global network. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned ISIS-Somalia members in 2022 and 2023, describing the faction as a funding hub that moves money, recruits, weapons, and supplies across Africa. Intelligence assessments also suggest the group manages a key financial office known as “Karrar,” which helps support ISIS operations outside Somalia. Some reports indicate the group’s long-time leader, Abdul Qadir Mumin, may have risen to head the global ISIS organization, though this has not been confirmed publicly.
The U.S. military has kept up pressure on the group throughout 2025. Between February and June alone, AFRICOM reported 38 strikes against both al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia. A two-week operation concluded on August 23, targeting ISIS positions in Puntland. Earlier this year, strikes were also reported near the coastal city of Bossaso, which sits along the same mountain corridor as the recent September 10 attack.
Local Somali forces have carried out their own campaigns against ISIS in the Golis Mountains. Puntland officials said this year that they had seized positions and inflicted losses on the militants, though their claims could not be independently verified. Even so, the announcements reflect a wider push for Somali-led ground operations supported by international partners, including the U.S.
U.S. officials say their strikes have focused not only on ISIS-Somalia’s fighters but also on its leadership and financial networks. However, AFRICOM provided no casualty numbers for the September 10 strike and said further details would not be released to protect ongoing missions. Earlier this year, the command stopped publishing casualty figures and civilian harm assessments, citing a review of reporting practices. Human rights groups say this lack of transparency leaves an accountability gap at a time when the pace of strikes in Somalia is higher than ever.
Despite the uncertainty about civilian impact, the increased tempo shows Washington’s determination to contain extremist groups in Somalia. By maintaining pressure on al-Shabaab in the south and ISIS in the north, U.S. forces hope to limit the groups’ ability to expand their reach, raise money, and plot external attacks. Still, questions remain over whether airstrikes alone can reduce the long-term threat without stronger Somali-led security structures on the ground.