Trump Confirms U.S. Airstrikes in Somalia, Killing Senior ISIS Planner

U.S. forces launched airstrikes in Somalia on Saturday, targeting a senior Islamic State (ISIS) attack planner and other militants, resulting in multiple fatalities. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, stating the militants were found hiding in caves and posed a threat to the U.S. and its allies.

“The strikes destroyed their hideouts and eliminated many terrorists without harming civilians,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The operation took place in the Golis Mountains, with an initial assessment confirming significant militant casualties, according to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. No civilians were reported injured. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed gratitude for U.S. support, praising Trump’s leadership in counterterrorism efforts.

Puntland’s information minister, Mohamud Aidid Dirir, confirmed the strikes hit Islamic State bases in the Cal Miskaad Mountains. "The number of casualties remains unclear, but our forces heard explosions,” he told Reuters.

Hegseth emphasized that the strikes disrupted ISIS operations and reinforced the U.S. commitment to eliminating terrorist threats worldwide. “This sends a clear signal that the United States remains vigilant in defending its security and allies,” he stated.

The U.S. has routinely conducted airstrikes in Somalia under both Republican and Democratic administrations, aiming to weaken extremist networks in the region.