Trump authorized airstrikes against the Islamic State in Somalia

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he authorized military airstrikes against a senior Islamic State attack planner and other members of the group in Somalia.

“These individuals, who were discovered hiding in caves, posed a threat to the United States and our allies,” Trump stated in a message on Truth Social. “The airstrikes eliminated their hideouts and resulted in the deaths of numerous terrorists, all while ensuring the safety of civilians.”

According to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the strikes took place in the Golis Mountains, with initial assessments suggesting that multiple operatives were killed. He confirmed that there were no civilian casualties.

Reuters has not been able to independently verify these claims. Hegseth emphasized that the strikes diminish the Islamic State’s capacity “to plan and execute terrorist attacks” that endanger the U.S., its allies, and innocent civilians.

“This action sends a strong message that the United States is always prepared to locate and eliminate terrorists who threaten our nation and our allies, even as we maintain robust border security and engage in various operations under President Trump’s leadership,” he remarked in a statement.

The United States has conducted airstrikes in Somalia intermittently for years, spanning both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Last year, a coordinated strike targeting Islamic State militants resulted in the deaths of three members of the group, according to the U.S. military.