US carries out Airstrike in Gollis mountains, Somalia

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Thursday that it carried out a series of airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Somalia’s Puntland region, in coordination with the country’s federal government.

In a statement, AFRICOM said the strikes targeted ISIS-Somalia positions in the Gollis Mountains, approximately 60 kilometers southeast of Bosaso. The command described the operation as part of ongoing efforts with Somali security forces to “degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.”

The latest operation comes amid an intensifying U.S. air campaign across Somalia. AFRICOM has increased the tempo of its strikes in recent months, including attacks this week in areas surrounding Jamame in Middle Jubba. Those strikes were launched in support of joint operations involving the elite Danab Special Forces and Jubbaland regional troops, who are conducting an offensive against al-Shabab in the region.

Local reports have alleged that these Middle Jubba strikes resulted in multiple civilian casualties.

The Gollis Mountains strike also follows a controversial episode in September, when a U.S. airstrike in the Sanaag region killed Omar Abdillahi Abdi, a clan elder. The strike, which reportedly involved three missiles, hit Abdi’s vehicle as he traveled alone through Ji’anyo between Elbuh and Badhan.

In the days after the strike, AFRICOM alleged that Abdi had been a weapons dealer supplying al-Shabab — a claim rejected by both Abdi’s family and al-Shabab itself, each insisting he had no connection to the militant group. His family has since built a memorial in his honor.

U.S. military activity in Somalia has expanded significantly. Since Donald Trump took office, AFRICOM has dramatically increased the pace and scope of its air operations, with roughly 100 airstrikes conducted so far this year — already the highest annual total on record.