Bosaso, Somalia – Supported by international partners, Puntland Counter-Terrorism Forces eliminated at least five ISIS militants fleeing in the Barakalash area of the Al-Miskaad mountains, according to authorities, as part of the latest major operation in the country.
Airstrikes targeted the militants in Baalade Valley, killing the five instantly. The fighters had been escaping the conflict zone after prolonged assaults by security forces.
Puntland Counter-Terrorism Forces stated that additional details on the operation would come from US Africa Command, which handles most aerial missions in Somalia’s northern region.
“A recent airstrike killed at least five fleeing ISIS terrorists. The strike took place in the Barakalah area of Baalade Valley in the Calmiskaad mountains, executed by Puntland’s U.S. partners (US Africa Command). More details will follow,” a statement from AFRICOM read.
Previously, security forces captured one fleeing ISIS militant using GPS tracking. Investigations revealed he was Moroccan, contributing to the rising count of foreign fighters in Somalia.
“Our forces captured the ISIS group’s head of GPS navigation systems while he tried to escape. The Moroccan national identified himself as Abdirihiin Ibn Borosa,” the statement said.
Days earlier, an airstrike struck ISIS militants in the Maragade well area of Balade Valley. It was carried out by Puntland’s U.S. partners, who keep supplying air support for the counter-terrorism efforts in the Al-Miskaad mountains.
