US Airstrikes Target IS-Somalia in Puntland, Killing Multiple Terrorists

US Airstrikes Target IS-Somalia in Puntland Region

The US military conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) operatives in Somalia's semi-autonomous northern Puntland region, marking the first such attacks in the country during Donald Trump's second term as president.

The strikes targeted IS-Somalia, a splinter group of the larger al-Shabaab organization, in the Golis Mountains. Trump confirmed the operation on Truth Social, stating that the strikes targeted a senior IS attack planner and others, killing many terrorists without harming civilians. He emphasized that the US will continue to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the country and its allies.

The US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, added that an initial assessment indicated multiple operatives were killed and no civilians were harmed. The operation sends a clear signal that the US remains committed to combating terrorism, even while conducting other operations under Trump's leadership.

Somali American Democratic representative Ilhan Omar commended the strike, expressing hope for the defeat of IS and Alshabab and an end to terrorism in Somalia. Estimates suggest IS-Somalia has between 300 and 700 members, with approximately half being foreign fighters.

The Puntland regional government has been engaged in its own month-long operation against IS-Somalia following a deadly attack on its security forces in December. Puntland officials stated that their forces have been engaged in a low-intensity conflict with the group for nearly a decade and have cleared over 200km of territory since the operation began. Puntland expressed gratitude to the US and the United Arab Emirates for their support.

The Somali president's office acknowledged the US military action and expressed appreciation for the unwavering support of the United States in the fight against international terrorism. The statement also welcomed the continued commitment under Trump's leadership.

The airstrikes come a day after the Somali president appealed to Trump in an interview with the Washington Post to maintain the presence of American advisors and consultants supporting the training of Somali special forces. Trump has previously opposed the deployment of US troops in faraway conflicts and withdrew soldiers from Somalia in 2020, relying primarily on airstrikes to combat jihadist organizations. He has ordered more airstrikes in Somalia than any other US president.

A previous strike targeting IS militants, carried out in coordination with Somalia last year, killed three members of the group. US officials have since briefed media that the recent strikes targeted Abdulqadir Mumin, who they believe quietly became IS's global leader. However, experts have expressed doubt about Mumin holding such a senior role.