Twelve days into his second term, President Donald Trump ordered a decisive military operation against ISIS-Somalia, in what officials said was a demonstration of his resolve to eliminate terrorist threats.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), under the direction of newly sworn-in Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, carried out a precision airstrike in Somalia’s Golis Mountains, reportedly killing multiple ISIS operatives.
Notably, the strike, which was coordinated with the federal government of Somalia, was executed with impressive speed, with initial reports confirming no civilian casualties.
At the heart of the swift action is President Trump’s focus on the growing threat posed by ISIS, especially its African affiliates. In a statement, Mr Hegseth remarked, “At President Trump’s direction and in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, we authorised U.S. Africa Command to conduct coordinated airstrikes today targeting ISIS-Somalia operatives in the Golis Mountains.”
This messaging indicates Mr Trump’s commitment to fighting terrorism and his readiness to take swift action in the face of global threats.
The airstrike was authorised barely a week after Mr Hegseth was sworn in as the 29th Secretary of Defense, marking one of his first significant decisions regarding US military action in Africa.
Mr Hegseth’s rapid involvement signals a no-nonsense approach to counterterrorism operations. For comparison, AFRICOM had previously executed strikes during other administrations, but the speed and directness with which Mr Hegseth and President Trump responded to this ISIS threat set a new tone. The Pentagon’s immediate update on the strike’s results underscores the current administration’s approach.
The Pentagon’s initial release about the operation confirmed the airstrike’s success while AFRICOM reaffirmed its commitment to minimising civilian harm, stating, “U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian harm. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.”
This is important, as it demonstrates that while military action is central to US policy in the region, there is still a pronounced effort to avoid civilian casualties – a challenge that has historically complicated military operations in Africa.
