The United States military launched airstrikes on Saturday in the Golis Mountains, targeting a senior Islamic State attack planner and other operatives, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said the strikes “destroyed the caves they live in and killed many terrorists without harming civilians.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the strikes and stated that an initial assessment indicated multiple operatives were eliminated. He emphasized that the operation aimed to degrade the Islamic State’s ability to plan and execute attacks against the U.S. and its allies.
A Somali presidential office official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the strikes and welcomed the U.S. operation, stating that “Somalia cannot be a safe haven for terrorists.” The impact of the strikes is still being assessed.
The United States has conducted airstrikes in Somalia for years under various administrations, targeting militant groups. Last year, a similar operation resulted in the deaths of three Islamic State members.
