The United States has halted airstrikes in the Baallade Valley, fearing civilian casualties, after it was discovered that women and children were in the target area.
The decision came amid weeks of joint operations by Puntland and US forces in the Calmiskaad mountains, where the Islamic State of Somalia (IS) has bases.
Despite the halt in airstrikes, heavy fighting erupted on August 27 after the IS group carried out a suicide attack on Puntland security forces.
Puntland forces said they killed six of the suicide bombers, but IS attacks killed at least 23 Puntland soldiers between August 25 and 27.
Intelligence reports indicate that the ongoing Puntland and US operations have targeted senior ISS leadership, including officials with close ties to ISIS internationally, such as ISS deputy leader, Isse Fahiye, and ISIS global leader, Abdulqadir Mumin, who is believed to still be hiding in the Puntland mountains.
Although Puntland and US forces have weakened ISS’s combat and financial capabilities since early 2025, the group remains capable of carrying out deadly attacks.
