U.S. Military Strikes, Multiple Terrorist Operatives Eliminated

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U.S. military strikes ISIS targets in Somalia, marking President Trump’s first major counterterrorism operation in his second term.

Quick Takes

  • President Trump ordered airstrikes against ISIS operatives in Somalia’s Golis Mountains.
  • The operation targeted a senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists.
  • Multiple ISIS operatives were reportedly killed with no civilian casualties.
  • The strikes were coordinated with Somalia’s government and are part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
  • ISIS’s presence in Somalia, while smaller than al-Shabab’s, has been increasingly active.

Trump Orders Precision Strikes on ISIS in Somalia

In a decisive move against terrorism, President Donald Trump has authorized U.S. military airstrikes targeting Islamic State operatives in Somalia. This operation marks the first such action during Trump’s second term, demonstrating his administration’s continued commitment to counterterrorism efforts in Africa. The strikes, coordinated with Somalia’s government, were directed at ISIS positions in the Golis Mountains, a known stronghold for the terrorist group.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation, stating that initial assessments indicate multiple ISIS operatives were eliminated without civilian casualties. The precision strikes targeted a senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists, dealing a significant blow to the group’s operations in the region.

ISIS Presence in Somalia

The Islamic State’s affiliate in Somalia, which originated in 2015 as a breakaway faction from al-Shabab, has been increasingly active in the Puntland region, particularly in the Galgala Mountains. While smaller in numbers compared to al-Shabab, ISIS cells in Somalia have reportedly been receiving increased direction from the group’s leadership, which has relocated to northern Somalia.

Intelligence estimates suggest that ISIS militants in Somalia number in the hundreds, primarily operating in the Cal Miskaat mountains in Puntland’s Bari region. The group has sustained its activities through extortion, smuggling, and illicit taxation, despite ongoing counterterrorism pressures.

Trump’s Strong Stance Against Terrorism

President Trump took to social media to announce the operation, emphasizing its necessity and effectiveness. He stated that the airstrikes destroyed ISIS caves and killed numerous terrorists without harming civilians. Trump’s decisive action stands in contrast to what he described as the previous administration’s hesitancy to act against known terrorist threats.

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

This operation in Somalia follows recent U.S. military airstrikes in northwest Syria, which targeted a senior operative of Hurras al-Din, an al-Qaeda affiliate. These actions underscore the Trump administration’s global approach to combating terrorism and protecting American interests abroad.

Regional Cooperation and Impact

The Somali government has expressed gratitude for U.S. support in combating terrorism within its borders. Puntland’s information minister confirmed the strikes on ISIS bases in the Cal Miskaad Mountains, though exact casualty numbers remain unconfirmed due to the nighttime nature of the operation.

These strikes are part of ongoing operations by Puntland Security Forces against ISIS since December, with the regional government reporting significant progress in neutralizing key ISIS figures. The U.S. Defense Secretary stated that this action degrades ISIS’s ability to conduct terrorist attacks, reinforcing the importance of international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

As the situation develops, the impact of these strikes on ISIS’s operational capabilities in Somalia and the broader region remains to be seen. However, the operation clearly signals the United States’ continued commitment to supporting its allies in the fight against global terrorism under President Trump’s leadership.

Sources:

  1. U.S. military strikes Islamic State operatives in Somalia for the first time in Trump’s new term
  2. US strikes in Somalia killed ‘key’ ISIL figures, says regional government
  3. Trump says he ordered precision military air strikes on ISIS leaders in Somalia

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