In a powerful overnight offensive, U.S. special operations troops and Puntland Counter-Terrorism Forces executed a coordinated pre-dawn raid on ISIS-Somalia hideouts deep within the Baalade Valley.
According to operational details available, more than 100 American special operators were inserted via MH-60 helicopters, with MQ-9 Reaper drones providing overwatch and precision strikes on fortified cave networks in the Bakuuje and Mareero sectors of the Cal Miskaad mountain range.
The assault followed several days of U.S. airstrikes that had already neutralized multiple militants, paving the way for ground forces to move in.
Hours-Long Cave Battle — No U.S. Casualties Reported
The joint forces encountered fierce resistance, triggering 2–4 hours of close-quarters combat inside tunnel systems defended by an estimated 10–15 ISIS fighters, including foreign militants reportedly originating from Syria, Turkey, and Ethiopia.
By dawn, U.S. and Puntland units had successfully disengaged without any reported American casualties.
Early assessments indicate that a senior ISIS-Somalia commander and several aides were killed, in addition to 5–10 other fighters. Troops also destroyed weapons stockpiles and equipment linked to gold-mining operations believed to finance ISIS cells in the region.
Operation Hilaac: Final Push Underway
Puntland officials say Operation Hilaac has now secured most of the Cal Miskaad mountains and remains on track to completely dismantle ISIS-Somalia by December 2025 if momentum continues.
