
Deep in Somalia’s rugged Golis Mountains, US precision military strikes have dealt a significant blow to ISIL’s regional operations, marking a crucial development in the ongoing counterterrorism efforts across the Horn of Africa.
The U.S. Africa Command confirmed that in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia were conducted on Feb. 1, 2025.
The command’s initial assessment is that multiple ISIS-Somalia operatives were killed in the airstrikes and no civilians were harmed, Africom said in a press release, adding that it will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate.
The Puntland regional government confirmed airstrikes eliminated key ISIL figures, particularly in the Cal Miskaad Mountain range.
While ISIL maintains a relatively modest presence in Somalia compared to the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab, security experts have long warned about the group’s growing influence. Operating primarily from mountain cave networks, ISIL has established a complex system of extortion, smuggling, and illicit taxation, particularly in coastal areas where they’ve attempted to control local commerce.
The International Crisis Group estimates ISIL’s presence in Somalia numbers in the hundreds, with fighters scattered throughout the Cal Miskaad Mountains. Despite facing pressure from multiple fronts – including Somali security forces, U.S. air operations, and rivalry with al-Shabab – the group has demonstrated resilience in both remote and urban environments.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud publicly welcomed the operation, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. The strikes represent part of a broader strategy to disrupt terrorist networks in the region, where ISIL continues recruitment and propaganda efforts despite operational constraints.