The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed on Sunday, May 11 that it had carried out a targeted airstrike in Toga Miraar, within the Kal Miscard Mountains in the Bali region of Somalia, aiming to suspect a hideout of ISIS group Da’ish.
In an official statement, Africom revealed that the precision strike is targeting the location of Darshish, about 60 kilometres south of the town of Kandara. The airstrikes were carried out as part of an ongoing counterterrorism effort in collaboration with Somali regional troops, particularly the Pantoland Defence Force (PDF).
The victim figures have not been released by Africom, but the local government in Puntland later announced that at least 10 Da’ish militants had been killed on the strike. The US African Command (AFRICOM) coordinated and executed the strike. The Pantland Defence Force provided ground intelligence and post-strike assessments. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reportedly providing logistics and aviation support to Pantland in its ongoing operations against extremist groups like Da’ish in the region.
The Cal Miskaad Mountains have become a strategic hideaway for Da’ish militants, especially after losing their positions to Al-Shabaab and Somali government forces in central Somalia. A deep and far-flung valley of the mountain, Toga Miraal has long been identified by the Intelligence Agency as the foundation of the group’s logistics and training.
Recent escalations in aviation operations suggest a new focus on dismantling the working cells of Daacish in the northeast. Analysts believe they are working with Puntland to aim to block supply routes and leadership sanctuaries for groups of difficult-to-reach terrain, such as Cal Miskaad.
Although Africom’s statement was carefully expressed, Puntland’s security ministry confirmed that the 10 fighters had been neutralised, describing them as “a key operative of Somalia’s Islamic State branch.” The statement praised the US support and reiterated Pantland’s commitment to eliminating the threat of extremists from its territory.
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Although no civilian casualties have been reported yet, independent verification of such remote events remains difficult. The airstrike is the latest in a series of joint military operations in northeastern Somalia, targeting both Al-Shabaab and Daisch fighters. Security sources suggest that more strikes are likely, especially as US and local forces increase surveillance and drone patrols in Bali and Sanag regions.
In its statement, Africom confirmed its continued support for Somali federal and regional authorities in the fight against terrorism, saying it will “continue to take action to disrupt and degrade terrorist groups that threaten peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.”
A group of Somali ISIS, commonly known as Daisch, left Al-Shabaab around 2015 and established a base in the northern mountains of Pantland. Although fewer than al-Shabaab, this group has proven difficult to eliminate due to guerrilla-style tactics and the use of rugged terrain for concealment.
While US airstrikes and local ground attacks over the past few years have diminished their capabilities, analysts warn that the group will still pose a threat through ambushing, bombing and recruiting disenfranchised youths in remote locations.
