Airwars assessment
At night on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 35 alleged Daesh (ISIS) militants were killed in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains of the Bari Region in Puntland State, Somalia, in airstrikes declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes.
In a press release, US AFRICOM stated that they had conducted “multiple airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia”, in the “vicinity of the Golis Mountains”, with the strikes being “in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.” According to their initial assessment “multiple” militants were killed, and “no civilians were harmed” in the strikes.
The United States White House Twitter/X account released black-and-white aerial surveillance footage likely taken from a drone, stating that US forces “executed counterterrorism airstrikes”, and that “dozens” of militants had been killed, noting that they were reportedly in a “cave complex in Somalia.” While the video posted by the White House does not specify a location, the timing suggests that the video refers to the strikes on March 25th as it was published just a day later, March 26th.
In their report in April, New America noted that AFRICOM counted the large operation as a “single strike” in reply to their query, and that a defense official had informed them that the current assessment had 35 alleged ISIS militants killed in the strikes.
A statement put out by the Somali Ministry of Information stated that the “coordinated operation” hit militants in the “Golis Mountains of the Bari region, located in Puntland State”, terming it “known hideouts” of militants. They noted that the strikes occurred at night, and that “multiple” militants had been killed with “no civilian casualties reported”, and that “an assessment of enemy losses is currently underway.” The strikes were also stated to be supporting the ongoing “counterterrorism offensive” by Puntland security forces in the al-Miskeed mountain range. UKDJ termed the airstrikes as “precision strikes”, while Arab News added that Puntland authorities did not comment on the strikes
Multiple local, national and social media sources quoted the official press releases while reporting on the strikes.
Sources did not provide names or further details of those killed in the strike.
The incident occured during the night.
Summary
Sources (10) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]
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Source: Telefishinka Qaranka Soomaaliyeed's
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted multiple airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia on March 25, 2025.
The airstrikes occurred in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, Somalia.
AFRICOM’s initial assessment is that multiple ISIS-Somalia operatives were killed and no civilians were harmed.
ISIS-Somalia has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. and partner forces. This group's malicious efforts threaten U.S. security interests.
U.S. Africa Command, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia's ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our civilians abroad.
Specific details about the operation will not be released to ensure continued operations security.