Trump Greenlights Airstrikes Against Islamic State Targets in Somalia

In a recent social media update, Donald Trump confirmed that he had ordered airstrikes on Islamic State planners in Somalia, emphasizing a commitment to combat terrorism and protect American interests.

In a bold move, Donald Trump declared that he directed military airstrikes targeting a senior figure within the Islamic State (IS) and several associates in Somalia. "These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies," he stated on social media, asserting that the strikes successfully dismantled their hideouts and eliminated numerous terrorists while ensuring civilian safety.

The former president's statement concluded with a warning: "The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that 'WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!'"

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth supported Trump’s announcement, revealing that initial evaluations indicated multiple IS operatives were killed without civilian casualties. He noted that these airstrikes "further degrade" IS's capability to orchestrate attacks and reinforced the message that the United States remains vigilant against threats.

Islamic State gained infamy in the 2010s, primarily in the Middle East, but its influence has since waned, particularly concentrating in various African regions, including Somalia. The IS faction in Somalia, established in 2015 by defectors from the prominent al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab, is known for its local extortion activities and infrequent attacks, per assessments from the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence.