U.S. Military Launches Airstrikes Against ISIS in Somalia

The United States military has undertaken coordinated airstrikes targeting ISIS operatives in Somalia, which is significant as it represents the initial military actions in the country during President Trump's second term. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he had ordered "precision Military air strikes" aimed at a senior ISIS attack planner and others involved in recruiting and leading terrorist activities in Somalia.

Trump emphasized in his comments that the ISIS threats had been neutralized, with the targeted individuals reportedly found in caves. He claimed that the airstrikes effectively destroyed these hiding places and resulted in the elimination of many terrorists while ensuring the safety of civilians.

Saturday's operation was described by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as being directed by Trump and coordinated with the Somali government. Preliminary assessments from the U.S. Africa Command suggested that multiple ISIS operatives were killed in these airstrikes, confirming that civilians were not harmed in the process. Hegseth elaborated that this military action undermines ISIS's capacity to plot further attacks against U.S. citizens and allies, reinforcing America's commitment to combat terrorism.

While Trump did not specify the identity of the targeted ISIS planner nor confirm if they were killed, the Pentagon has acknowledged challenges in counterterrorism efforts in Africa lately. These difficulties have arisen since key U.S. partners, Chad and Niger, moved to oust U.S. forces and took control of essential bases utilized by the U.S. for training and operations against extremist groups in the Sahel region, located just south of the Sahara Desert.

U.S. military officials have reported an increase in ISIS activity in the region, attributed to guidance from the group's leadership relocated in northern Somalia. This advice reportedly includes tactics for kidnapping Western nationals, enhancing military techniques, evading drone surveillance, and constructing small drones for their operations.

In a previous operation in May, a U.S. airstrike targeted ISIS militants in Somalia, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Current estimates indicate that there are several hundred ISIS militants operating within Somalia, primarily situated in the Cal Miskaat mountains of Puntland's Bari region, according to analysis from the International Crisis Group. This recent military action follows an earlier airstrike conducted on January 30 in northwest Syria, which successfully killed a senior operative affiliated with al-Qaeda.