US Troops Fight ISIS Militants on the Ground in Somalia’s Puntland Region

US special operations forces were involved in a joint raid with local forces in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland region that involved an attack on a cave and ground fighting against ISIS militants, Garowe Online, a media outlet based in Puntland, reported on Tuesday.

The report said that, according to US Africa Command, the attack on the Habar Bajuuke cave in the Balade Valley, an area where the US has launched airstrikes in recent days, was supported by 10 helicopters. So far, AFRICOM has not put out a press release confirming its involvement in the operations.

The Garowe reports said that forces in the helicopters “landed on the ground and executed the mission following a confrontation between US troops” and members of Somalia’s ISIS affiliate. It said the operation lasted several hours and resulted in the capture and killing of several ISIS fighters. The report didn’t say if there were casualties among the US troops or the Puntland security forces.