Somalia Reports Joint Military Operation With US and UAE on ISIS After Recent Attacks Kill Scores

The operation took place a week after an ISIS suicide bombing targeted Puntland security forces in the Shebaab Al-Miskaat mountains in the Bari region, and intense fighting in the region.

AFRICA - Somalia has reported a joint military operation involving airstrikes with the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) targeting ISIS locations in the eastern region of Puntland.

Puntland soldiers, Somalian military

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The operation took place a week after an ISIS suicide bombing targeted Puntland security forces in the Shebaab Al-Miskaat mountains in the Bari region, where ongoing counterterrorism operations are being conducted.

It also follows an ISIS attack on a military base in the country which killed almost 100 people, including at least 27 Puntland soldiers, and injured up to 60 others in the Togga Jacel area of the Cal Miskaad mountains in Puntland’s Bari region, according to Puntland security officials.

Spokesperson for Puntland security operations, Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, also known as "Fadhigo" said after the attack, "We have confirmed that at least 27 Puntland soldiers and 70 Islamic State militants, were killed during the attack and subsequent gun battle."

"The death toll, especially that of the militants, could be significantly higher than the number we have provided because they were killed in caves. They were hiding, and we are still assessing," he added at the time.

He also said, "We knew they were coming as we had prior intelligence tip. They attacked us with car bombs and explosives-laden motorbikes, and then dozens of them engaged in a fierce gunbattle with our soldiers."

Fadhigo added that the attack aimed to take control of the military base, but that Puntland forces successfully repelled the attackers.

"Puntland security forces have successfully repelled the enemy attack, and they still remain in their base in Togga Jecel, dealing a significant blow to the extremist group."

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