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U.S. Military Strikes ISIS Targets in Somalia

The United States military has launched a series of coordinated airstrikes against ISIS operatives in Somalia, marking the first such military action in the region during President Trump’s second term. This operation signifies a renewed focus on counterterrorism efforts in East Africa amidst shifting alliances and operational challenges.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, President Trump detailed his decision to authorize “precision military air strikes” aimed specifically at a senior ISIS attack planner and other militants under his command. Trump emphasized that these individuals posed a direct threat to the United States and its allies.

In his post, Trump remarked, “These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies… The strikes destroyed the caves they live in and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Saturday that the airstrikes executed by U.S. Africa Command were directly commanded by President Trump and coordinated with the Somali government. He provided an initial assessment stating that multiple operatives were likely killed, with no civilian casualties reported.

Hegseth stated, “This action further degrades ISIS’s ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians. It sends a clear signal that the United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies, even as we conduct robust border protection and many other operations under President Trump’s leadership.”

While the identity of the target ISIS planner was not disclosed, the Pentagon’s ongoing counterterrorism initiatives in Africa have faced difficulties. This is particularly due to the recent removal of U.S. forces from pivotal bases in Chad and Niger, which were crucial for training and operations against extremist groups across the Sahel region.

Military experts have expressed concern about the evolving tactics of ISIS cells in Somalia, especially as they have reportedly received increasing guidance from leaders who have relocated to northern regions of the country. This includes training on kidnapping Westerners for ransom, enhanced military strategies, evasion techniques against drone surveillance, and even the development of small unmanned aerial vehicles.

Previous airstrikes in Somalia aimed at ISIS militants included a May operation that resulted in the death of three insurgents, according to U.S. Africa Command. Current estimates suggest that several hundred ISIS operatives remain active in Somalia, primarily concentrated in the Cal Miskaat mountains of Puntland’s Bari region, as reported by the International Crisis Group.

Saturday’s airstrikes in Somalia followed earlier military actions in January where U.S. forces targeted a senior member of Hurras al-Din, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, in northwest Syria. This continued military engagement underscores the ongoing commitment of the U.S. military to combat terrorism globally, adapting strategies as the landscape of threats evolves.

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