JOHANNESBURG (Kaab TV) – The United States has dramatically expanded its airstrike campaign against extremist militants in Somalia under the Trump administration, carrying out more than ten times the number of strikes launched during President Biden’s tenure in 2024.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed to Fox News Digital on Friday that it conducted 10 airstrikes in 2024. By contrast, more than 100 strikes have already been executed in Somalia this year.
In the most recent operation on Tuesday, AFRICOM forces took part in an airstrike and an alleged four-hour gun battle with ISIS-Somalia fighters in Puntland, located in northern Somalia.
According to an AFRICOM press release, the mission was carried out “in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.”
Several local sources reported that high-ranking ISIS operatives were targeted. Early accounts suggest that a senior militant leader was either killed or apprehended, and up to 10 fighters were eliminated. No U.S. casualties have been reported.
This latest strike follows a series of U.S. missions targeting extremist factions throughout Somalia, including ISIS, ISIS-Somalia, and the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab.
An AFRICOM spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the U.S. “conducted an airstrike approximately 66 km southeast of Bossaso. To date, we have completed 101 airstrikes in Somalia — 59 of which specifically targeted ISIS-Somalia.
“In collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia, we continue to take measures to diminish the capacity of ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabab to threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.”
According to local accounts, U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones initially launched missiles at militants positioned in and around a large cave. This was reportedly followed by an assault involving 10 helicopters. Multiple sources claimed that U.S. personnel disembarked from the aircraft during the operation.
However, U.S. military officials denied that American troops conducted any on-ground maneuvers, firmly rejecting reports that U.S. forces had set foot on Somali territory. Officials reiterated that no ground operation took place.
In a public statement, AFRICOM emphasized that “specific details about units and assets will not be released” to preserve operational security.
In August, AFRICOM announced multiple airstrikes against ISIS militants. AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson stated that “these lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to keeping Americans and our partners safe from the threat of global terrorism.” He added that the strikes targeted “an organization intending to export its violence to the U.S. and our allies.”
Official military photographs showed U.S. aircraft launching from an aircraft carrier during the operations.
Ahmed Soliman, a senior research fellow in the Africa Programme at Chatham House, told Fox News Digital, “The U.S. focus on [ISIS] in Puntland is partly driven by the goal of preventing another international [ISIS] ‘safe haven’ from emerging, as well as concerns about ISIS-Somalia’s recruitment of foreign fighters.”
He added, “However, this emphasis has raised concerns that the international response may not be keeping pace with al-Shabab’s resurgence in central and southern Somalia. Al-Shabab has taken advantage of the shifting international focus to reestablish its operational areas.
“These gains have occurred amid Somalia’s increasingly fractured domestic political environment. Persistent power struggles between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and federal member states such as Puntland and Jubaland have undermined coordination and counterterrorism efforts.”
In May, AFRICOM’s former commander, Gen. Michael E. Langley, speaking about U.S. strikes in Somalia, told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the U.S. “is actively pursuing and eliminating jihadist fighters.”