US military airstrikes in the Golis mountains of Somalia have killed "key figures" within ISIS, according to the semi-autonomous Puntland region's government.

The strikes, confirmed by the then US President, targeted what he described as a "senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists."  

The operation took place in northern Somalia, a region where the Puntland Defense Forces have been conducting operations against ISIS since December.  The militant group has established a presence in the Golis mountains.  

"Recent airstrikes have led to the neutralization of key figures within ISIS, marking a significant advancement as we progress into the second phase of our operation," the Puntland government stated on Sunday.

A separate statement from the Somali government in Mogadishu confirmed that the operation in the Bari region was "jointly coordinated by the Somali and American governments" and targeted "senior ISIS leaders."  This statement also lacked further specifics.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was briefed on the airstrikes Saturday night, according to his office, which emphasized the operation "reinforces the strong security partnership" between Somalia and the US.  The President expressed his "deepest gratitude" to Washington in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Terrorism will neither find friends, nor any place to call home, in Puntland state and entire Somalia.”  

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the "initial assessment is that multiple operatives were killed in the airstrikes" and confirmed that no civilians were harmed. (ILKHA)