U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he ordered military airstrikes targeting a senior Islamic State attack planner and other operatives in Somalia. The strikes, he said, aimed to eliminate militants who posed a direct threat to the United States and its allies.
"These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians."
According to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the airstrikes were carried out in the Golis Mountains, a known stronghold for extremist groups. He confirmed that an initial assessment indicated multiple ISIS operatives were killed, while no civilians were harmed.
The strikes come amid heightened concerns over the Islamic State’s growing presence in East Africa. Earlier this week, Interpol announced the arrest of several suspected ISIS members in the region, raising fears of a potential resurgence of the group.
Military analysts say the U.S. has been monitoring Islamic State networks in Somalia for years, as the group has expanded its influence beyond its traditional bases in the Middle East. U.S. forces have previously carried out targeted strikes in Somalia, focusing on both ISIS and Al-Shabaab militants operating in the region.
The Pentagon has not disclosed further details about the identity of the senior militant targeted in the airstrikes or whether additional operations are planned in response to ongoing threats.
San Francisco, CA, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI announced on Friday that its AI agent, Operator, is now available for ChatGPT Pro subscribers in a broader range of countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, among others.
Peru - the roof of a food court collapsed, killing at least 3 people and injuring 74 others.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Australia has accused China of failing to provide sufficient notice ahead of a live-fire naval drill between Australia and New Zealand, forcing airlines to alter flight paths. Defence Minister Richard Marles described the lack of communication as “disconcerting” for commercial aviation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenyan President William Ruto have called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid escalating violence. Their appeal follows the capture of key cities by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
San Francisco, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI has terminated a group of Chinese ChatGPT accounts that were reportedly used to edit and debug code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
Vatican City, February 20, 2025 – Pope Francis will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his customary prayer with pilgrims, marking the second consecutive week of absence, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
London, February 17, 2025 – A new analysis by Cancer Research UK has revealed stark inequalities in cancer mortality across the country, with death rates in the most deprived areas nearly 1.6 times higher than in wealthier regions.
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
A second meeting between representatives of Russia and the United States is planned for the next two weeks, the RIA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Washington, D.C., February 21, 2025 – U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service unless Kyiv reaches an agreement to grant the United States greater access to its critical minerals.
Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
San Francisco, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI has terminated a group of Chinese ChatGPT accounts that were reportedly used to edit and debug code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
Vatican City, February 20, 2025 – Pope Francis will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his customary prayer with pilgrims, marking the second consecutive week of absence, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
London, February 17, 2025 – A new analysis by Cancer Research UK has revealed stark inequalities in cancer mortality across the country, with death rates in the most deprived areas nearly 1.6 times higher than in wealthier regions.
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