Trump confirms U.S. airstrikes against IS militants in Somalia

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he ordered airstrikes targeting a senior Islamic State (IS) planner and other militants in Somalia, media outlets reported. In a social media post, Trump stated that the strikes eliminated multiple IS operatives without harming civilians.

The Somali government confirmed it was informed of the operation, which took place in the Golis Mountains in the country’s northeast, the BBC reported on Saturday, adding that Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed continued U.S. support in combating extremist threats.

The regional government of Puntland also acknowledged the strikes, claiming they eliminated high-ranking IS members.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the strikes as a significant blow to IS operations in Somalia. The BBC noted that it could not independently verify casualty reports.