Wednesday July 22, 2020
MOGADISHU (HOL) - Seven ISIS militants were killed Tuesday in an airstrike in Puntland, the US military has said.
A statement from the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) noted seven militants were neutralized in a drone strike in Puntland’s Bari region.
“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Timirshe, Somalia, July 21,” the statement read in part.
Timirshe is located 140 kilometers southeast of Bosasso, the capital of Bari region.
AFRICOM said there were no civilian casualties adding the militants had attacked Puntland forces on the ground.
Puntland Security Forces confirmed the operation noting the head of ISIS operations and international relations had been killed during the attack.
ISIS established itself in 2015 in the Galgala mountain ranges in Puntland headed by former UK based preacher Abdulkadir Mumin.
The group has since made headways into south central regions of the country including the capital Mogadishu but has faced stiff resistance from Al-Shabaab.