Trump Orders Airstrikes Against ISIS in Somalia, Claims Major Success

President Trump announced airstrikes on ISIS in Somalia, claiming they killed many terrorists without harming civilians. The operation targeted a senior attack planner and was coordinated with Somalia’s government. US officials reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism, issuing a strong warning to ISIS. The US has conducted several strikes in Somalia in recent years as part of its broader anti-terrorism efforts.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced that he had authorized airstrikes targeting members of the Islamic State (IS) group in Somalia. According to Trump, these strikes, executed by the U.S. Africa Command, resulted in the deaths of several terrorists. He detailed the operation on Truth Social, mentioning that it aimed at a prominent IS planner and his recruits, who posed threats to the United States and its allies.

The President stated, “These killers… threatened the United States and our Allies,” asserting that the strikes effectively eliminated threats without causing civilian casualties. Further, he emphasized the resolve of the U.S. in combating terrorism, declaring, “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!” The strikes were carried out in coordination with the Somali government, as reported by the US Africa Command.

The command’s preliminary assessment indicated that multiple operatives of ISIS-Somalia were neutralized during the airstrikes, with no reported civilian harm. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that these actions degrade the group’s capacity to conduct terrorist planning and operations while reinforcing America’s commitment to protect its interests and allies from terrorism.

The US has a history of conducting military operations in Somalia, including a 2023 airstrike that killed IS leader Bilal al-Sudani along with ten of his operatives. Additionally, another strike last May targeted three IS militants in the region. The Somali affiliate of IS emerged in 2015 from factions previously aligned with the al-Qaeda-linked group, al-Shabab, and it has been estimated that there are hundreds of ISIS militants operating in Somalia today, mainly in the Cal Miskaat mountains, as reported by the International Crisis Group.

The airstrikes ordered by President Trump demonstrate a continued focus on combating ISIS operations in Somalia, a country with a complex security environment. Since the emergence of ISIS’s Somali branch in 2015, the United States has engaged in multiple military strikes aimed at degrading the terrorist group’s capabilities. The coordination with the Somali government highlights an ongoing partnership in addressing terrorism within the region, as the US seeks to ensure the safety of its national interests and allies against growing threats.

In conclusion, President Trump’s recent airstrikes in Somalia underscore the United States’ ongoing commitment to countering ISIS and protecting its national security interests. The operation evidently led to significant tactical gains against the terrorist group, while the collaboration with Somali authorities reflects a strategic approach in the fight against terrorism. Such military actions aim to disrupt the capacity of ISIS militants to plan and execute attacks, reinforcing a message of strong deterrence against threats to the United States and its allies.

Original Source: inews.co.uk