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Puntland Security Forces parade newly trained soldiers and equipment to combat ISIS in Bosasso, Bari Region, Puntland region, Somalia, on Jan. 30, 2025.
US airstrikes target Islamic State stronghold in Somalia
In a post on X, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked Trump for “the unwavering support of the United States in our shared fight against terrorism … Your bold and decisive leadership, Mr. President, in counterterrorism efforts is highly valued and welcomed in Somalia.”
Puntland Security Forces have been carrying out operations against IS since December. While less active than the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, Somali officials have reported increased IS activity in recent months, with hundreds of fighters operating in the Cal Miskaad Mountains. IS in Somalia is led by Abdul Qadir Mumin, a Puntland native with ties to the global IS network. Analysts suggest his survival in past US strikes had bolstered his status within the group.