Bosaso, Puntland – U.S. Africa Command has carried out an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in a remote area southeast of Bossaso, marking one of the most significant counterterrorism operations in Puntland in recent months. The strike took place on November 10 near the Golgol Cave, a rugged hideout long associated with militant activity and difficult terrain that often shelters extremist cells.
The operation, jointly coordinated with Somali security authorities, was aimed at weakening ISIS-Somalia’s ability to organize, recruit, and conduct attacks across the region. Early assessments suggest the strike hit a target linked to the group’s operational network, though full details on its impact are still being verified by Somali partners on the ground.
Communities living in the outskirts of Bossaso described the area as unusually tense in recent weeks, with increased movements of armed fighters reported in the mountains. Local leaders have repeatedly voiced concerns about the group’s attempts to regroup after suffering internal splits and pressure from Puntland forces earlier this year.
For the United States, the strike reflects ongoing efforts to contain threats that could spill beyond Somali borders. The Golgol Cave area—rough, isolated, and difficult for ground forces to secure—has been a known sanctuary for militants who move through the Bari region’s complex network of mountain routes.
Somali officials say the cooperation highlights a renewed push to dismantle ISIS-Somalia’s infrastructure before it can escalate attacks or expand its influence. The government has continued to stress the importance of international partnerships as it confronts both ISIS and Al-Shabaab in different parts of the country.
As security forces assess the aftermath of the operation, residents in Bossaso hope the strike will limit militant mobility in the mountains that overlook their city. The coming days are expected to bring further clarity on the extent of disruption inflicted on the group’s activities and whether additional operations will follow.