U.S. Airstrikes in Somalia Kill ISIS Operatives in Targeted Attack \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The U.S. military conducted airstrikes in Somalia, marking the first counterterrorism operation of Trump’s second term. The Pentagon confirmed multiple ISIS operatives were killed, with no civilian casualties reported. Trump declared the strikes eliminated a senior attack planner, while Somalia’s government reaffirmed its security partnership with the U.S. The operation comes as ISIS cells in Somalia grow more active, receiving directives from leadership relocated to the region.
U.S. Airstrikes in Somalia: Quick Look
- First Airstrikes Under Trump’s Second Term: The U.S. military launched airstrikes in Somalia, targeting ISIS operatives in Puntland.
- Multiple ISIS Fighters Killed: The Pentagon confirmed the strikes eliminated multiple operatives, with no civilian casualties reported.
- Trump Takes Credit: Trump declared the strikes destroyed ISIS hideouts, claiming previous administrations failed to act.
- Somalia’s Government Backs the Operation: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s office praised the U.S. for its counterterrorism efforts.
- ISIS Expansion in Somalia Raises Concerns: U.S. military officials warn ISIS is growing stronger in Puntland, receiving training and directives from relocated leadership.
- U.S. Counterterrorism in Africa Faces Challenges: With Chad and Niger expelling U.S. forces, efforts to monitor terrorist activity in the Sahel are becoming more difficult.
- Ongoing Global Anti-Terror Efforts: The Somalia operation follows recent U.S. airstrikes in Syria, which killed a senior al-Qaeda operative.
- What’s Next? The Pentagon will monitor ISIS movements to assess whether further military action is needed in Somalia.
Deep Look
The U.S. military launched airstrikes in Somalia against ISIS operatives, marking the first major counterterrorism operation under President Donald Trump’s second term. The strikes were ordered by Trump and coordinated with Somalia’s government, targeting ISIS strongholds in Puntland, a region where militants have been gaining influence.
Pentagon Confirms “Multiple” ISIS Operatives Killed
In an official statement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the airstrikes were carried out by U.S. Africa Command, targeting ISIS caves and training camps. A Pentagon assessment indicated that multiple ISIS operatives were killed, but the exact number remains undisclosed. The Pentagon also confirmed that no civilians were harmed in the operation.
Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate the airstrikes, stating that the U.S. military had been tracking a senior ISIS attack planner for years, but that previous administrations had failed to act.
“The strikes destroyed the caves they live in and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians. Our Military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did!”
Trump did not identify the ISIS planner by name, nor did he confirm whether the target had been killed. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
Somalia’s Government Supports U.S. Strikes
The Somali government quickly praised the airstrikes, emphasizing its commitment to working with allies like the U.S. to combat terrorism. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s office released a statement calling the operation an example of the strong security partnership between the two nations.
“Somalia remains resolute in working with its allies to eliminate international terrorism and ensure regional stability.”
ISIS Expansion in Somalia Raises U.S. Concerns
The Islamic State affiliate in Somalia has been active since 2015, when a breakaway faction from al-Shabaab pledged allegiance to ISIS. While al-Shabaab remains the dominant extremist group in Somalia, ISIS has been expanding its presence, particularly in Puntland’s remote Cal Miskaat mountains.
Recent intelligence reports indicate that ISIS cells in Somalia have been receiving increased direction from ISIS leadership, which has relocated to the region. These directives include military training, kidnapping tactics, and drone warfare strategies. The group has also been funding its operations through extortion, smuggling, and illicit taxation.
The Pentagon has identified Somalia as a growing hotspot for ISIS operations, with the terrorist group attempting to recruit fighters, spread propaganda, and expand its influence beyond Puntland. U.S. military officials have warned that ISIS in Somalia is becoming more sophisticated, learning new tactics to evade drone strikes and Western intelligence operations.
The Challenge of Counterterrorism in Africa
The airstrikes in Somalia come at a time when U.S. counterterrorism operations in Africa are facing significant challenges. In 2023, both Chad and Niger expelled U.S. forces and took control of key military bases that the U.S. had used for training and operations against extremist groups. This loss has complicated efforts to monitor terrorist activity across the Sahel region, a vast area where both ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates continue to operate.
Despite these challenges, the U.S. has remained committed to counterterrorism efforts in Somalia. The recent airstrikes suggest that Trump is willing to continue an aggressive military approach, even as U.S. partnerships in Africa become more uncertain.
A Continuing Pattern of U.S. Strikes on Terrorist Groups
Saturday’s operation in Somalia follows a series of recent U.S. airstrikes targeting terrorist operatives in other regions. On January 30, the U.S. conducted airstrikes in northwest Syria, killing a senior operative of Hurras al-Din, an al-Qaeda affiliate. The Pentagon has indicated that similar counterterrorism operations will continue, as the U.S. seeks to eliminate high-value targets linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda worldwide.
What Happens Next?
While the immediate threat posed by ISIS in Somalia has been diminished, the group is expected to regroup and continue its recruitment efforts. U.S. intelligence agencies will likely increase surveillance of suspected ISIS locations in Puntland, monitoring for further terrorist activity.
Somalia’s government will continue working with U.S. forces, though it remains unclear whether more direct U.S. involvement, such as ground operations or expanded air campaigns, will follow. With counterterrorism operations in Africa facing new obstacles, the effectiveness of airstrikes alone in preventing ISIS expansion remains uncertain.
For now, U.S. military officials remain on high alert, prepared to respond to future ISIS activity in the region. The Pentagon is expected to release further details on the operation in the coming days, clarifying whether the intended ISIS planner was among those killed.
The global fight against ISIS continues, and Somalia remains a critical front in the battle against terrorism.
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