The United States military has conducted coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) operatives in Somalia, specifically targeting the Golis Mountains in Puntland. These strikes were executed in response to a deadly attack carried out by IS-Somalia in December, which prompted the Puntland regional government to intensify its operations against the jihadist group. The airstrikes aimed at eliminating a senior IS attack planner, Abdulqadir Mumin, who is believed to have risen to a significant position within the organization.
The operation received support from Somalia's semi-autonomous northern Puntland region, reflecting a collaborative approach to combat the growing threat posed by IS-Somalia. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reported that initial assessments indicated multiple operatives were killed during the strikes, although specific numbers have not been disclosed.
The U.S. military has escalated its air operations in Somalia throughout Donald Trump's presidency, conducting more strikes than any previous administration. Trump has been vocal about the necessity of aggressive action against terrorist threats. In a previous statement, he declared, “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!” emphasizing the commitment to counter-terrorism efforts.
The decision to target Mumin was not made lightly; he has been under surveillance for years as a significant figure within IS-Somalia. Experts have questioned his actual role within the organization, suggesting that while he may have taken on a leadership position, his influence may not be as extensive as claimed. Nevertheless, the U.S. military views him as a primary target due to his involvement in orchestrating attacks against both local and international interests.
IS-Somalia emerged as a splinter group from al-Shabaab in 2015, challenging the dominance of the al-Qaida-affiliated organization which controls significant portions of southern Somalia. Estimates suggest that IS-Somalia consists of approximately 300 to 700 active members, with about half of them being foreign fighters who have infiltrated the region. This influx of foreign elements has heightened concerns regarding the group's operational capabilities and its potential to launch attacks beyond Somalia's borders.
In light of these developments, Trump reiterated his administration's resolve, stating, “These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies.” He also claimed that the recent strikes successfully “destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.”
The Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was informed in advance about the U.S. military actions targeting senior IS leadership, underscoring the importance of collaboration between the U.S. and Somalia in addressing security challenges.