Mogadishu – The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has confirmed that fresh airstrikes carried out on Sunday in Somalia targeted ISIS militants operating in the Puntland region, southeast of the port city of Bosaso. The operation marks the 51st U.S. airstrike in Somalia so far this year, signaling a sharp uptick in military activity that could soon surpass the 2019 annual record of 63 strikes under the Trump administration.
According to AFRICOM, the latest strike was conducted in coordination with the Somali government as part of ongoing efforts to degrade extremist networks and prevent future terrorist operations. However, the command has not disclosed specific details on casualties or whether any civilians were harmed in the operation.
“U.S. forces remain committed to supporting the Somali government and disrupting ISIS and Al-Shabaab’s ability to operate freely in the country,” AFRICOM said in a brief statement released Monday.
The targeted area in Puntland is known for sporadic militant activity by ISIS-affiliated fighters, who have long maintained footholds in the rugged mountainous terrain of the Bari region. The United States has intensified surveillance and counterterrorism efforts in northern Somalia following a series of ISIS-led attacks and reports of recruitment campaigns in coastal communities.
While AFRICOM has frequently emphasized efforts to minimize civilian harm and ensure precision, human rights groups continue to urge greater transparency, especially in regions with limited access to independent verification.
With five and a half months left in the year, U.S. military engagement in Somalia appears set to exceed previous records, reflecting both renewed counterterrorism urgency and ongoing instability across parts of the Horn of Africa.