President Donald Trump's military forces conducted a significant counter-terrorism operation targeting ISIS leadership in Somalia's mountainous region.
According to the New York Post, the airstrikes were carried out Saturday against high-ranking ISIS leaders and their associates hiding in Somalia's Cal-Miskaad mountains, resulting in multiple casualties among the terrorist operatives.
The operation, conducted in coordination with Somali authorities, focused on eliminating a senior ISIS attack planner and other operatives in the Bahaya region. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the success of the mission, emphasizing its role in diminishing ISIS's capacity to orchestrate attacks against American citizens and allies.
The military strike marks Trump's first major counter-terrorism operation just two weeks into his presidency. The operation specifically targeted cave systems in the Cal-Miskaad mountains, which served as hideouts for ISIS operatives. Local US-allied forces had previously identified approximately 100 hideouts throughout the cave network.
President Trump announced the success of the operation through his Truth Social platform, delivering a stern warning to terrorist organizations worldwide. He emphasized the precision of the strikes, noting that civilian casualties were avoided while achieving military objectives.
The Somali government, through President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's office, expressed support for the operation. This collaboration highlights the strengthening of the security partnership between Somalia and the United States in combating extremist threats.
ISIS-Somalia emerged in 2015 when former al-Shabaab members pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The group's activities primarily consist of targeted assassinations and IED operations. Intelligence reports estimate their current strength between 100 and 400 members.
The Director of National Intelligence characterizes the group's attacks as "sporadic" but potentially dangerous. This operation follows recent successful US counter-terrorism efforts, including the elimination of an ISIS leader in Syria last month and the neutralization of 37 terrorists, including senior ISIS and al Qaeda affiliate leaders, in September.
Trump used the occasion to criticize the Biden administration's approach to counter-terrorism. He claimed the target had been known for years, but previous leadership failed to act decisively.
Trump stated via Truth Social:
These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians. The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that 'WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!'
Secretary Hegseth emphasized the operation's strategic importance, stating:
Multiple operatives were killed in the airstrikes, further degrading ISIS's ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening US citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians.
The strikes involved aircraft launched from a Nimitz class carrier, demonstrating the US military's ability to project power globally. The operation showcased the effectiveness of intelligence sharing between US forces and Somali authorities.
The US military's airstrikes in Somalia's Cal-Miskaad mountains successfully targeted and eliminated multiple ISIS operatives, including a senior attack planner. The operation, authorized by President Trump in his second week in office, was conducted in partnership with Somali authorities and represents a significant development in US counter-terrorism efforts. While the specific identity of the primary target remains classified, the strikes have reportedly degraded ISIS-Somalia's operational capabilities and sent a clear message about America's commitment to combating international terrorism.
