US and Puntland Confirm Airstrike on Al-Shabaab Depot
Garowe and Washington have jointly verified a recent counterterrorism strike in the Golis Mountains, signaling a deepening security partnership in northern Somalia.
The Government of Puntland and the United States have confirmed the successful execution of a counterterrorism operation in the Al-Madow-Golis mountain range. The strike targeted a weapons storage facility in the Markad area, which authorities described as a critical site for storing ammunition intended to support militant activities in the region. This joint announcement marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to degrade the operational capacity of armed groups in northern Somalia.
According to a press release from the Puntland Presidency, the operation is part of a broader campaign to eliminate safe havens for terrorist organizations and foster long-term stability. While no immediate details were provided regarding casualties or the specific extent of the damage, both governments emphasized that the action was coordinated to weaken the logistical networks of Al-Shabaab. The confirmation underscores the increasing frequency of direct military cooperation between Garowe and Washington in remote, high-altitude terrains.
Deepening Security Cooperation
This airstrike follows a series of high-level engagements between US officials and Puntland leadership. In August 2026, a US delegation led by Major General Claude Tudor, Commander of Special Operations at US Africa Command, met with President Said Abdullahi Deni in Bosaso. During these discussions, the two sides outlined plans to strengthen maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden while intensifying counter-militant efforts.
As reported by GN auto geopolitics/africa: Somalia security, a key component of this cooperation involves the expansion of US military facilities in Bosaso. Previously, US operations were conducted from an intelligence office linked to AFRICOM’s headquarters in Djibouti. The new arrangement, to be established at Bosaso airport, will allow for direct air operations, significantly enhancing the rapid response capabilities of US forces in the region. This shift reflects a strategic move to solidify a permanent security presence in northern Somalia.
Parallel Campaigns in Mountains
The strike in the Al-Madow mountains operates in parallel to Puntland’s Operation Hilaac, a military campaign against ISIS-affiliated militants in the Al-Miskaad Mountains of the Bari region. Since its inception in late 2024, this operation has resulted in the reclamation of over 260 square kilometers of territory. Puntland forces have reportedly dismantled more than 100 hideouts, including training camps and command centers, marking a substantial shift in the regional security landscape.
US support has been integral to these dual fronts. Recent strikes in the Barakalash area of the Al-Miskaad mountains reportedly killed at least five militants, including a foreign fighter identified as a Moroccan national. The presence of international combatants highlights the transnational nature of the threat. As Puntland deploys additional troops to the Baallade valley to relieve units engaged in the year-long campaign, the coordination with US air power remains a central pillar of the strategy to clear these remote strongholds.
Looking Ahead to Stability
The confirmed action in Markad illustrates the deepening integration of US and Puntland security architectures. With the focus shifting toward dismantling the remaining infrastructure of both Al-Shabaab and ISIS affiliates, the next phase will likely see increased surveillance and targeted strikes in the Sanaag and Bari regions. Observers will watch for further announcements regarding the status of the Bosaso facility and the pace of territorial gains in the ongoing mountain campaigns.
