Boosaaso, Somalia – June 13, 2025 — U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in close coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, executed a precision airstrike on June 13, 2025, targeting ISIS-Somalia militants in a sparsely populated area southeast of Boosaaso, in the Bari region of northeastern Somalia. The airstrike is part of an ongoing campaign to degrade ISIS’s ability to plan and carry out attacks on U.S. interests, personnel, and civilians, both in Somalia and globally.
The targeted area in Bari has been identified as one of the last remaining strongholds for ISIS-affiliated cells in Somalia. AFRICOM did not release specific details on casualties or the equipment used, citing operational security concerns. However, officials emphasized that the strike is part of a broader strategy to eliminate ISIS’s operational capabilities in the region.
“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad,” an AFRICOM spokesperson stated.
The airstrike comes just days after Puntland security officials reported that they had reclaimed nearly 98% of the Al-Miskaad mountain range, which had long been a stronghold for ISIS militants. Puntland authorities indicated that this success was the result of intensified counterterrorism operations, aimed at dismantling ISIS networks in the region.
Puntland’s significant territorial gains underscore its vital role as a frontline in the battle against ISIS in Somalia. The recent successes highlight growing coordination between Somali authorities and international partners, as both work together to eliminate terrorist threats and reclaim strategic territories from extremist groups.