US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had ordered military air strikes on a senior “Islamic State” attack planner and others in the Terrorist Network in Somalia.
“These killers, which we found hidden in caves, threatened the United States and our allies,” Trump said on Truth Social. “The strikes have destroyed the caves in which they live and have killed many terrorists without, in any way, to harm civilians.”
Coordinated strike with the Somali government
The strikes were carried out in the Golist mountains, a range on the north coast of the Somali peninsula, said the defense secretary Pete Hegseth, adding that the mission was coordinated with the Somali government.
An official of the Somali President’s office, speaking on condition of anonymity and reported by Reuters, said that the Somalia government had supported strikes.
“Somalia cannot be a safe refuge for terrorists,” said the official.
Later on Saturday, the office of the Somali President said that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud “was informed of the American strike targeting Islamic State management in northern Somalia this evening.”
“He recognizes the unshakable support of the United States in the fight against international terrorism and welcomes continuous commitment under the decisive direction of President Donald Trump,” posted the office on X.
“This last operation strengthens the solid security partnership between Somalia and the United States in the fight against extremist threats. Somalia remains resolved in work with its allies to eliminate international terrorism and ensure regional stability.”
An initial evaluation of the Pentagon indicated that “several” agents were killed in the operation. In his evaluation, the Pentagon said that no civilian had been injured in strikes.
JSI / WD (AFP, Reuters, AP)
