US Airstrikes Target Islamic State in Somalia “`

The U.S. military launched coordinated airstrikes targeting Islamic State operatives in Somalia. These are the first such attacks in the country during President Trump’s second term.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Saturday that the strikes, conducted by U.S. Africa Command, were authorized by President Trump and carried out in coordination with the Somali government.

A preliminary Pentagon assessment indicates that multiple operatives were killed. The Pentagon also asserted that no civilians were harmed.

President Trump, in a social media post, claimed that a high-ranking IS planner and recruits were the targets.

“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 stated. “The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!”

Trump did not disclose the identity of the IS planner nor confirm their death. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Pentagon’s counterterrorism efforts in Africa have faced challenges following the expulsion of U.S. forces from Chad and Niger last year. These countries had previously hosted key bases used for training and operations against terrorist groups in the Sahel region.

U.S. military officials have voiced concerns about increased direction from IS leadership, now based in northern Somalia, to its cells. This includes guidance on kidnapping Westerners for ransom, improving military tactics, evading drone surveillance, and constructing small quadcopters.

A U.S. military airstrike in May 2024 in Somalia targeted IS militants, resulting in three confirmed deaths, according to U.S. Africa Command.

The International Crisis Group estimates that several hundred IS militants are present in Somalia, primarily dispersed in the Cal Miskaat mountains of Puntland’s Bari region.

Saturday’s operation followed airstrikes on January 30th in northwest Syria, targeting a senior operative with Hurras al-Din, an al-Qaeda affiliate, according to U.S. Central Command.