CAL MISKAAD, Somalia — The United States carried out air strikes overnight against suspected Islamic State group fighters in Somalia’s northern Bari region, targeting several areas in the rugged Cal Miskaad mountains, local sources said.
The strikes hit areas including Mirale, Sulsul and Nuurku-Beel, according to local reports. Additional air strikes were reported on Friday evening in new areas near Baalade.
The latest bombardments are part of a series of US air operations targeting suspected Islamic State positions in Bari, where the group maintains hideouts in the mountainous terrain.
The continued strikes appear to be aimed at increasing military pressure on Islamic State fighters in the region as Somali and US forces intensify operations against armed groups operating in the country.
The United States has in recent months stepped up air support for operations against jihadist groups in Somalia, including the Islamic State group and Al-Shabaab.
There was no immediate official information on casualties or the number of Islamic State fighters targeted in the latest strikes.
