Trump Orders Airstrikes on Islamic State in Somalia

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.

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