The U.S. military conducted airstrikes targeting Islamic State (IS) operatives in Somalia on Saturday, marking the first such attacks in the African nation during President Donald Trump’s second term. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the strikes, carried out by U.S. Africa Command, were authorized by President Trump and coordinated with the Somali government. Initial Pentagon assessments indicated that multiple IS operatives were killed, with no civilian casualties reported.
President Trump, in a social media post, claimed the operation targeted a senior IS planner and recruits, destroying their caves. He further asserted that the Biden administration had been too slow to act against this individual. While Trump did not name the targeted planner or confirm their death, the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The office of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the operation, stating it strengthened the security partnership between the two countries in combating extremist threats and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to eliminating international terrorism.
The airstrikes come amidst a challenging counterterrorism landscape in Africa. The U.S. has faced setbacks with the ouster of its forces from key bases in Chad and Niger last year, impacting its training and operational capabilities against terrorist groups in the Sahel region. U.S. military officials have raised concerns about increasing direction from IS leadership, now based in northern Somalia, providing guidance on tactics such as kidnapping Westerners for ransom, evading drone surveillance, and building small quadcopters.
The IS affiliate in Somalia, a breakaway faction from al-Shabab, emerged in 2015 and is primarily active in Puntland, particularly the Galgala Mountains. Led by Abdulkadir Mumin, the group, though smaller than al-Shabab, has engaged in attacks across southern and central Somalia, funding its operations through extortion, smuggling, and illicit taxation. Despite facing pressure from Somali forces, U.S. airstrikes, and internal rivalries with al-Shabab, IS in Somalia continues to operate, aiming to expand its influence through recruitment and propaganda. Estimates from the International Crisis Group place the number of IS militants in the hundreds, largely concentrated in the Cal Miskaat mountains.
Saturday’s operation follows similar airstrikes conducted on January 30th in northwest Syria, targeting a senior operative of Hurras al-Din, an al-Qaeda affiliate.