President Trump orders airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia, marking a significant shift in U.S. counterterrorism strategy.
At a Glance
- U.S. airstrikes targeted key ISIS figures in northern Somalia
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reports multiple operatives killed, no civilian casualties
- Operation aimed to degrade ISIS’s ability to conduct terrorist attacks
- Trump emphasizes strong message to ISIS: “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!”
- Strikes mark first major U.S. military operation overseas under Trump’s new Presidency
Trump Takes Action Against ISIS in Somalia
President Donald Trump has authorized airstrikes targeting ISIS leaders in Somalia. The operation, executed by the U.S. Africa Command, marks the first major U.S. military action overseas since Trump’s presidency began. The strikes focused on ISIS operatives hiding in the Golis Mountains, aiming to dismantle critical elements of the terrorist network.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided details on the operation’s success.
“Our initial assessment is that multiple operatives were killed in the airstrikes and no civilians were harmed,” Hegseth said.
“This action further degrades ISIS’s ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians and 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.”
Trump Orders Airstrikes on ISIS Leaders in Somalia, Escalating Counterterrorism Efforts
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The airstrikes involved Navy and Air Force warplanes, including F/A-18 fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. The operation targeted a senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists, aiming to degrade the group’s ability to conduct attacks against U.S. citizens, partners, and civilians. While ISIS’s presence in Somalia is smaller compared to al-Shabab, their activity has been increasing, making this operation crucial in curbing their influence.
“The government of Somalia’s semiautonomous Puntland region says military strikes by the United States in the Golis Mountains killed “key figures” of the ISIL (ISIS) group,” reported Al Jazeera.
The strikes were part of ongoing operations by Puntland Security Forces against ISIS since December. The regional government reported significant progress in neutralizing key ISIS figures, demonstrating the effectiveness of the joint efforts between U.S. and Somali forces.
Trump’s Decisive Action and Message to Terrorists
President Trump took to social media to announce the operation and its success. “Trump posted on the Truth Social platform that the US strikes “destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians”,” according to Al Jazeera. This statement underscores the precision and effectiveness of the operation, aligning with the administration’s goal of minimizing civilian casualties while maximizing impact on terrorist networks.
“The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that ‘WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!'” Trump declared, as reported by PJ Media.
The operation in Somalia signifies a more proactive approach in the fight against terrorism under Trump’s leadership. As ISIS continues to operate and expand its influence in the region, these strikes serve as a reminder of America’s resolve to protect its citizens and allies from the threat of international terrorism.