Trump Orders Airstrikes Against Islamic State in Somalia
In a significant move, President Donald Trump has ordered coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in Somalia. This marks the first series of attacks in the African nation during his second term in office.
Coordinated Strikes
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the strikes, carried out by U.S. Africa Command, were directed by President Trump and coordinated with the government of Somalia. The initial assessment by the Pentagon revealed that several operatives were eliminated in the operation, with no civilian casualties reported.
Targeted Operation
President Trump took to social media to announce the operation, specifying that a senior IS planner and recruits were the primary targets. The strikes aimed to dismantle the underground caves used by the terrorists, a longstanding target of the U.S. military.
Continued Threat
U.S. military officials have been vigilant about the growing influence of IS cells in northern Somalia. The group’s leadership has been providing strategic direction, including tactics for kidnapping Westerners, enhancing military skills, evading surveillance drones, and even constructing surveillance drones.
Previous Strikes
This recent operation follows a previous airstrike in Somalia that targeted IS militants, resulting in the elimination of three individuals. The International Crisis Group estimates that the number of IS militants in Somalia is in the hundreds, primarily concentrated in the Cal Miskaat mountains in Puntland’s Bari region.
It is imperative to stay abreast of the evolving situation in Somalia to combat the ongoing threat posed by the Islamic State.
